HOW CAN I BELIEVE I AM SAVED UNTIL I FEEL IT?
FEELINGS flow from faith, not faith from feelings. Take an illustration. A fond mother gets a letter in an unknown handwriting. It comes from a medical man in New Zealand, and the burden of it is the pleasing tidings that her only son, just recovered from a dangerous illness, is on his way home. How happy the news makes her! Indeed, so intense is her emotion that she even weeps for joy. But where did the feelings of gladness spring from?
She knew that her son was coming. HOW did she know he is coming?
She believed the doctor’s letter. Why did she believe the doctor’s word?
She had heard how kind he had been to her son, and she knew he would not try to deceive her.
Now you see there were four distinct things in connection with it.
First, she got t he letter. Second, she believed it, because of who it was that sent it. Third, she knew her son was getting better, and on his way home, and Fourth, she believed the letter.
She felt happy about it , because she knew he was well in health and coming home.
Do you not see that the happy feelings come last, while you would believe him first? She did not say, "I know he is coming home because I feel so happy:"
but, “I can’t help feeling happy , since I know my boy is coming."
And have we not got God’s letter, telling us of Christ’s accepted work, and that is true of those who trust in Him? Faith accepts the glad message and rejoices.
JESUS DID IT--on the cross.
GOD SAYS IT--In His word.
I BELIEVE IT--In my heart.
I BELIEVE IT (not because I feel it, but) because GOD SAYS IT: and God has said it because JESUS DID IT. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised
Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10: 9.
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If a sudden summons should come to you, would you be ready for it? Remember you must meet God whether you will (want to-ed.) or not: and, prepared or unprepared, when the summons comes you must go. Then, where will you spend eternity? At this moment God is waiting to be gracious, and Christ is saying, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11: 28. Refuse His call and you will perish forever!
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This message was on a small Gospel tracdt and on the other side it has "Believer's Gospel Hall," 1008 1/2 Prairie Ave., Hoouston, Texas. This tract remained i n Houston for around 90 years and was found by Bro. David Hodgkins and presented to a grandson of S. W. Benner. This led to the start of this web site. This presentation is gratefully acknowledged.
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