GOD sent two of His servants into the neighborhood where I, was living. The country was in a state of spiritual darkness, hardly anyone could say “I am saved.” The two preachers boldly affirmed that they were saved, and that they were sure of going to heaven any moment the Lord would be pleased to take them. They also preached that forgiveness of sins was to be enjoyed in this life. But by almost everyone this was considered mere presumption. Still the two preachers went on, and as they spoke of salvation through Christ, many of all classes of people were led to Jesus, and were saved with an everlasting salvation.
It was at this time that the turning-point in my life took place. I was invited by a neighbor to go to one of these meetings. A short time afterwards one of the preachers met me and inquired, “Are you saved?” To which I honestly replied, “That is a question I cannot answer.” But try as I would, I could not get the question banished from me.
I went again to the tent to have a talk with the preachers, and reached it an hour before the time for commencing the service. I thought I would give a hand to tighten the ropes. As I was doing so, one of them said, “It’s an awful thing to be on the road to hell!” While they were arranging the tent, I asked the other evangelist what he thought of a neighbor of mine who had professed to be saved. He sharply replied, “What do you think of yourself?” These two remarks left me without a word to say.
Today I can thank God for the two men who dealt honestly with me, warning me faithfully of my danger. I saw for the first time in my life that I was lost.
On my way home I thought of my past life, and conviction deepened, I saw that I was “condemned already” (Jno. 3:1818He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)) and had not a word to say in my own defense; my mouth was stopped, I was “guilty before God,” and I dreaded that which follows death— “after this the judgment.”
I went again to the tent, and this time was not concerned about my neighbor, but was in terror lest I should be lost for eternity in the lake of fire.
The speaker dwelt on John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16): “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Though this verse has been used in leading so many to the Lord, I left the meeting unsaved. As I turned on my bed that night, the judgment was always before me. Great was my agony, but I can only praise God for it, and for not allowing me to sink down in my carelessness into hell. As day dawned, light broke in upon my dark soul. I then and there saw that the work of Christ had met my need—that God was satisfied with the work of His own Son for me. Resting on this, I had joy and peace in believing. I was able to thank Him for the knowledge of sins put away through the precious blood of Christ.
ML 02/25/1917