NOT long since the gospel was preached under a railway arch in the East End of London. The love of Jesus to poor sinners for whom He shed His precious blood was faithfully presented. Afterward some of the hearers were spoken to separately.
Amongst them was an old man of seventy-five, whose heart seemed untouched by the glorious tidings of God’s salvation. On being asked if he believed in the Lord Jesus, he replied. “Do you believe all that’s in the Bible?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Do you believe that the sun would stand still at the bidding of man?” referring to the tenth chapter of Joshua.
“Oh, yes,” replied the speaker.
After speaking for some time, he asked a friend to talk to him, of whom he asked the same questions. “But,” said the second speaker, “I can tell you of something more wonderful.”
“What is that? “asked the old man in astonishment.
“When the One who made the sun stand still stood still Himself at the cry of a poor blind beggar; and, more than that, He gave him his sight; and He will give you sight now, will save you now, if you will only trust Him.” (Mark 10:4949And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. (Mark 10:49).)
Three weeks afterward the gentleman who first spoke was again under the arch, and saw the old man peering about, looking at the texts of Scripture on the walls. God had, by His Spirit, been working in the old man’s heart, and he could get no rest, so had some again. He was looking at the text, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
The gentleman just whispered in his ear, “Christ died for sinners,” when, to his astonishment, the old man jumped round, and, smiting his side, cried, “And for me! and for me! I see it now; for me!”
Oh! the joy of his heart to see that Jesus died for him. The entrance of God’s words giveth light, and as the light flashed on his soul, he could see himself a sinner, therefore the very one for whom Jesus died. (Psa. 119:130130The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (Psalm 119:130).)
Let me ask you, reader, Do you know yourself a sinner before God? His word says, “There is none that doeth good; no, not one.” (Psa. 14:33They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Psalm 14:3).) Do not delude yourself with the thought that because you have lived a pretty good life God will save you. An old soldier of eighty-nine told me the other day that he had never done anyone any harm; no one could say a word against him; he always went to church on Sunday; had a good coat to his back; always paid his rent, and had enough money to pay for his funeral!
Think you he could plead that before God? No, indeed! He could stand there in no coat of his own; nothing short of God’s righteousness would avail him, or you either, dear reader, in God’s presence.
M. J. E. B.
The perfect righteousness of God
Is witnessed in the Saviour’s blood;
‘Tis in the Cross of Christ we trace
His righteousness, yet wondrous grace.
God could not pass the sinner by,
His sin demands that he must die;
But in the cross of Christ we see
How God can save, yet righteous be.
The sin alights on JESUS’ head,
‘Tis in His blood sin’s debt is paid;
Stern Justice can demand no more,
And Mercy can dispense her store.
The sinner who believes is free,
Can say, “The Saviour died for me”:
Can point to the atoning blood,
And say, “This made my peace with God.”