THESE were the words of a man as he looked upon a company of people listening to the gospel in one of the back streets of London. “I have been,” said he, “in nearly all parts of the world, and everything convinces me that there is no God.” Little did he think that on that very night his own eyes would be opened to see himself a “fool” in God’s sight (Ps. 14). But so it was, for he was given to feel the power of the gospel which hitherto he had been despising. He was to all appearance by birth a gentleman, and in his profession a British officer, yet, as we have seen, an infidel in everything pertaining to God. But then, as ever, God has His own blessed way of dealing with even such as he, however superior to other men they may feel themselves to be. If all his observations had up to now left him without God, he that night was to be in company with one who could tell him what he had found in Jesus, the Saviour God.
Both these men had been in the service of Her Majesty the late Queen Victoria as soldiers, but one of these was a Christian, and, addressing his friend, he said, “Your position in the Queen’s service was far superior to mine, yet before God we were both alike sinners that needed a Saviour. And, thank God, a Saviour has been provided for us.” Brought thus in close touch with each other by this conversation, the officer, with his reasoning powers, was kindly met by the Christian’s assurance that it was impossible to understand aright so long as he refused to believe in Him whom God had sent into the world to give us an understanding, that we might know Him that is true. Nothing so reasonable that you should remain in darkness if you refuse the light!
As they together stood near the officers’ quarters, they had heard the clock strike ten—and now it struck eleven, when the Christian said he must go. “Now,” said he, after once more referring to their former condition when they both were sinners— “guilty before God,” “look me in the face as a man, and tell me that I am lying; or, that God has wrought a change in me through the contents of that book which you now reject.”
These words went home—the conflict ceased; the man’s eyes were opened. There he stood self-condemned. He felt that he had been fighting against God, and soon the confession of his mouth revealed what was working in his heart. The simple but mighty working of God’s Spirit brought out of this convicted man before the midnight hour what no other power could have effected, and his confession showed that while Satan can, and does indeed, blind “the minds of them which believe not,” the moment the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ reaches the heart the conscience is awakened, and the soul turns to God.
Yes, dear reader, God is revealed as light as well as love. There must be the righteous judgment of sin, if God is to freely and richly bless according to His heart of love as made known in the gospel of His grace. Here is the source and foundation of all blessing to man, proclaimed first in the words of Jesus, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” What mind of man could have conceived such a thought? But the Son of God has declared it, in word and deed, for the cross of Christ is its proof. “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son the propitiation for our sins.”
God had spoken through the prophets, of the time when Christ should come—when all our iniquities would be laid upon Him; when His soul would be made an offering for sin. All this has now been done, as prophets foretold. The penalty of sin has been borne by One on whom death had no claim, and whom death could not hold. Redeeming love has triumphed. The Redeemer who died is now risen, and believing souls are free through His atonement for sins; and the Holy Spirit is given as the seal. We have redemption through His blood. The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanseth from all sin. Thus is He the Saviour of sinners, and become the Author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
Now comes the vital point for each of us! Are we of those who have heard His voice through the gospel—the voice of the Son of God? Then have we eternal life who have believed in His name, and, knowing the grace of God in truth, can say, we “have received the spirit of sonship, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” In face of all the taunts of the enemy the feeblest soldier in faith’s battlefield can go forward in the assurance that as the gospel is God’s power unto salvation to every one that believeth, so is it God that worketh in him both to will and to do of His good pleasure. And our help for the journey is from the Captain of our salvation, in whom alone if wise, we trust.
Jesus, precious Saviour!
Be Thou our Guide and Friend!
And help us through life’s turmoil
To serve Thee to the end;
Oh, guard us by Thy counsel,
Preserve us in Thy ways,
And use us, Lord of glory,
In shewing forth Thy praise!
Jesus, precious Saviour!
Work Thou within each soul
That love which causeth others
To come and be made whole;
In blessing, Lord, oh, bless us,
And use us as Thou wilt—
For us, O precious Saviour,
Thine own life’s blood was spilt!
Jesus, precious Saviour,
Thou lover of the soul!
How sweet the joy of serving
Where Thou hast all control!
How cheering is Thy presence,
And, oh, how sweet the word
“For ever!” Yes, for ever!
“For ever with the Lord!”
E. T.
“Behold, I lay in Sion, a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on. Him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe, He is precious” (1 Pet. 2:6, 76Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, (1 Peter 2:6‑7)).