ARE you a Christian?” said we to a young girl the other day, who we knew was anxious about her soul’s salvation. ‘“I hope so,” was the reply.
“Have you eternal life?”
At this second question the countenance dropped, and the tongue was silent.
Again we asked, “Did you ever thank God for the gift of eternal life?”
“I pray,” was the response.
“Christ is God’s gift to sinners; those who possess God’s gift have eternal life, and the forgiveness of their sins. Believe in Jesus, and give thanks to God for His gift of eternal life.”
We proceeded to this text: “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life”: and, having read it, enquired of our young friend, “Do you believe on the name of the Son of God?”
“I do,” she answered; and we believed she did so most truthfully.
“You believe that He died for your sins upon the cross?”
“I do,” was the response.
“Let us read the text again. ‘These things have I written unto you—now put your own name here—that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.’”
The darkness rolled away; God gave faith to our young friend, and she appropriated the gracious word to herself. Long afterwards she looked back with thankfulness to that night, as the occasion on which she passed out of darkness into God’s marvelous light.
ML 03/03/1918