F—., when about 14 years of age, became exercised about his condition of soul. He had been taught that those who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, are saved. He thought he believed as much as anybody could believe, but he couldn’t feel that he was saved. As he reasoned in his mind about it, he thought he was not a true believer, or did not believe in the right way, and he began to fear that he was, perhaps, a hypocrite—trying to think himself a Christian, when he was not one at all. The more he thought about these things, the more troubled he became, and doubts and uncertainties filled his mind. The thought of death came before him and filled him with fear; but a dread even stronger than this took possession of him; the Lord might come at any moment, and he was not ready. When he lay down at night, he feared to go to sleep lest the Lord would come in the silent watches to take His people home and he would be left behind.
Months passed on, and this state of anxiety and fear continued. One day F., who was a farmer boy, was out in the field shocking grain. He got some distance in advance of the binder and lay down on the ground a few minutes to wait until it would overtake him. While lying there his thoughts were occupied with the question that had been absorbing him so long. Oh, why can I not know that I am saved? God says in His word, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” I do believe. I believe as much as anybody can. “Believe!” It is God’s word, and God is true—I’ll trust Him. With this thought light came into his soul. He took God at His word, he trusted Him, and he was saved.
How many of my dear little readers are ready thus to take God at His word, and “trust Him?”
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” “Through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him all that believe are justified from all things.” “Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.” “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.”
ML 12/30/1900