THERE is a story told of a young man who was seeking after the knowledge of eternal security and peace with God.
The friend to whom he confided his difficulties discerned very quickly that he was striving to attain everlasting life by his own efforts. He spoke of "sincere prayers," and "heartfelt desires," after salvation, but continually lamented that he did not "feel any different in spite of it all." His friend did not answer him at first, but presently he interrupted him with the inquiry, “W—, did you ever learn to float?”
“Yes, I did," was the surprised reply.
“And did you find it easy to learn?”
“Not at first," he answered.
“What was the difficulty?" his friend pursued.
“Well, the fact was, I could not lie still; I could not believe or realize that the water could hold me up, without any effort of my own, so I always began to struggle, and of course down I went at once." "And then?”
“Then I found out that I must give up all the struggle, and just rest on the strength of the water to bear me up. It was easy enough after that. I was able to lie back in the fullest confidence that I should never sink.”
“And is not God's word more worthy of your-trust than the changeable sea? He does not bid you wait for feelings. He commands you just to rest in Him, to believe His word, and to accept His gift. His message of life reaches down to you, in your place of ruin and death, and His promise to you now is, 'The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’”
“I give unto them eternal life, and they shall: never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."