Do You Believe?
J. C. Ryle
"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish—but have everlasting
life." John 3:16
Look at the well-known text which heads this page. Its
words are probably familiar to your ears. You have very likely heard them,
or read them, or quoted them, a hundred times. But have you ever considered
what a vast amount of divinity this text contains? No wonder that Luther
called it "the Bible in miniature!" And have you ever considered what an
immensely solemn question arises out of this text? The Lord Jesus says,
"Whoever believes shall not perish." Now, reader, DO YOU BELIEVE?
Questions about religion are seldom popular. They
frighten people. They oblige them to look within and to think. The insolvent
tradesman does not like his books to be searched. The faithless steward does
not like his accounts to be examined. And the unconverted professing
Christian does not like to be asked home-questions about his soul.
But questions about religion are very useful. The Lord
Jesus Christ asked many questions during His ministry on earth. The servant
of Christ ought not to be ashamed to do likewise. Questions about things
necessary to salvation—questions which probe the conscience, and bring men
face to face with God—such questions often bring life and health to souls. I
know few questions more important than the one before you today. DO YOU
BELIEVE?
Reader, the question before you is no easy one to answer.
Think not to thrust it aside by the off-hand answer, "Of course I
believe." I tell you this day, that true belief is no such "matter of
course" as you suppose. I tell you that myriads of Protestants and Roman
Catholics are constantly saying on Sundays, "I believe," who know nothing
whatever of believing. They cannot explain what they mean. They neither know
what, nor in whom, they believe. They can give no account of
their faith. Reader, a belief of this kind is utterly useless. It can
neither satisfy, nor sanctify, nor save.
I invite you in all affection, to consider the question
which heads this tract. I ask you to give me your attention while I try to
place it before you in its full proportions. In order to see clearly the
importance of "believing," you should ponder well the words of Christ to
which I have already referred. It is by the unfolding of these words, that I
shall hope to make you feel the weight of the question, "Do you believe?"
There are four things which I wish to show you, and to
impress upon your mind.
I. God's mind towards the world—He "loved" it.
2. God's gift to the world—"He gave His only
begotten Son."
3. The only way to obtain the benefit of God's
gift—"Whoever believes on Him shall not perish."
4. The marks by which true belief may be known.
Reader, I invite you to follow me step by step through
the four points I have just stated. Do not throw down this tract in anger or
impatience—but read it to the end. One thing I desire in writing it, and
that is, YOUR SALVATION.
I. Let us consider, in the first place—God's mind towards
the world—He "loved" it.
The extent of the Father's love towards the world is a
subject on which there is some difference of opinion. It is a subject on
which I have long taken my side, and never hesitate to speak my mind. I
believe that the Bible teaches us, that God's love extends to all mankind.
"His tender mercies are over all His works" (Psalm 145:9). He did not love
the Jews only—but the Gentiles also. He does not love His own elect only. He
loves all the world.
But what kind of love is this with which the
Father regards all mankind? It cannot be a love of delight, or else He would
cease to be a perfect God. He is one who cannot bear that which is evil. Oh,
no! The world-wide love of which Jesus speaks—is a love of kindness, pity,
and compassion. Fallen as man is, and provoking as man's ways are, the heart
of God is full of kindness towards him. While as a righteous Judge He hates
sin, He is yet able in a certain sense—to love sinners! The length
and breadth of His compassion are not to be measured by our feeble measures.
We are not to suppose that He is such a one as ourselves. Righteous and holy
and pure as God is, it is yet possible for God to love all mankind.
Think, reader, for a moment, how wonderful is this extent
of God's love. Look at the state of mankind in every part of the earth, and
mark the amazing quantity of wickedness and ungodliness by which earth is
defiled. Look at the millions of heathen worshiping stocks and stones, and
living in a spiritual darkness "which may be felt." Look at the millions of
Roman Catholics, burying the truth under man-made traditions, and giving the
honor due to Christ to the church, the saints, and the priest. Look at the
millions of Protestants who are content with a mere formal
Christianity, and know nothing of Christian believing or Christian
living—except the name. Look at the land in which we live at this
very day, and mark the sins which abound even in a privileged nation like
our own. Think how drunkenness, and immorality, and lying, and swearing, and
pride, and covetousness, and infidelity—are crying aloud to God from one end
of Great Britain to the other. And then remember that God loves this
world! No wonder that we find it written that He is "merciful and gracious,
long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth" (Exod. 34. 6). His
compassions fail not. He is "not willing that any should perish—but that all
should come to repentance." He "would have all men to be saved, and to come
unto the knowledge of the truth." He "has no pleasure in the death of him
who dies." (2 Peter 3. 9: 1 Tim. 2. 4: Ezek. 33. 11.) There lives not the
man or woman on earth whom God regards with absolute hatred or
complete indifference. His mercy is like all His other attributes. It passes
knowledge. God loves the world.
Reader, there are divers and strange doctrines abroad in
the present day about the love of God. It is a precious truth which Satan
labors hard to obscure by misrepresentation and perversion. Grasp it firmly,
and stand on your guard.
Beware of the common idea that God the Father is only an
angry Being, whom sinful man can only regard with fear, and from whom he
must flee to Christ for safety. Cast it aside as a baseless and unscriptural
notion. Contend earnestly for all the attributes of God—for His holiness and
His justice, as well as for His love. But never allow for one moment that
there is any lack of love towards sinners in any Person in the Blessed
Trinity. Oh, no! Such as the Father is—such is the Son, and such is the Holy
Spirit. The Father loves, and the Son loves, and the Holy Spirit loves. When
Christ came on earth, the kindness and love of God toward man appeared.
(Titus 3:4.) The cross is the effect of the Father's love, and not
the cause. Redemption is the result of the compassion of all three
Persons in the Trinity. To place the Father and the Son in opposition one to
another, is weak and crude theology. Christ died, not because God the Father
hated—but because He loved the world.
Beware, again, of the common doctrine that God's love is
limited and confined to His own elect, and that all the rest of mankind are
passed by, neglected, and let alone. This also is a notion that will not
bear examination by the light of Scripture. The father of a prodigal son can
surely love and pity him, even when he is walking after his own lusts, and
refusing to return home. The Maker of all things may surely love the work of
His own hands with a love of compassion, even when rebellious against
Him. Let us resist to the death, the unscriptural doctrine of universal
salvation. It is not true that all mankind will be finally saved.
But let us not fly into the extreme of denying God's universal compassion.
It is true that God "loves the world." Let us maintain jealously the
privileges of God's elect. It is true that they are loved with a special
love, and will be loved to all eternity. But let us not exclude any man
or woman from the pale of God's kindness and compassion. We
have no right to pare down the meaning of words when Jesus says, "God loved
the world." The heart of God is far wider than that of man. There is a
sense in which the Father loves all mankind.
I hold firmly the doctrine of election—as one of the
sheet anchors of my beliefs. I delight in the blessed truth that God has
loved His own elect with an everlasting love, before the foundation
of the world. But all this is beside the question before us. That question
is, "How does God regard all mankind?" I reply unhesitatingly, that God
loves them. God loves all the world with a love of compassion.
Reader, if you never took up the service of Christ in
real earnest, and have the least desire to begin, take comfort in the truth
now before you. Take comfort in the thought that God the Father is a God of
infinite love and compassion. Do not hang back and hesitate, under the idea
that God is an angry Being, who is unwilling to receive sinners, and slow to
pardon. Remember this day that love is the Father's darling
attribute. In Him there is perfect justice, perfect purity, perfect wisdom,
perfect knowledge, infinite power. But, above all, never forget there is in
the Father a perfect love and compassion. Draw near to Him with boldness,
because Jesus has made a way for you. But draw near to Him also with
boldness, because it is written that "He loved the world."
Reader, if you have taken up the service of God already,
never be ashamed of imitating Him whom you serve. Be full of love and
kindness to all men, and full of special love to those who believe. Let
there be nothing narrow, limited, contracted, stingy, or sectarian in your
love. Do not only love your family and your friends—love all mankind. Love
your neighbors and your fellow countrymen. Love strangers and foreigners.
Love heathen and Muhammadans. Love the worst of men with a love of pity.
Love all the world. Lay aside all envy and malice—all selfishness and
unkindness. To keep up such a spirit, is to be no better than an infidel.
Let everything you do—be done with charity. Love your enemies, bless those
who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and be not weary of doing them
good, to your life's end. The world may sneer at such conduct and call it
base and low-spirited. But this is the mind of Christ. This is the way to be
like God! GOD LOVED THE WORLD.
2. The next thing I want you to consider is God's GIFT to
the world.
"He gave His only begotten Son."
The manner in which the truth before us is stated by our
Lord Jesus Christ, demands special attention. It would be well for many who
talk big swelling words about "the love of God" in the present day, if they
would mark the way in which the Lord Jesus sets it before us.
The love of God towards the world is not a vague,
abstract idea of mercy, which we are obliged to take on trust without any
proof that it is true. It is a love which has been manifested by a
mighty gift. It is a love which has been put before us in a plain,
unmistakable, tangible form. God the Father was not content to sit in
heaven, idly pitying His fallen creatures on earth. He has given the
mightiest evidence of His love towards us by a gift of unspeakable value. He
has "spared not His own Son—but delivered Him up for us all" (Romans 8:32).
He has so loved us—that He has given us Christ! A higher proof of the
Father's love could not have been given.
Again, it is not written that God so loved the
world that He resolved to save it—but that He so loved it that He
gave Christ. His love is not displayed at the expense of His holiness
and justice. It flows down from heaven to earth through one
particular channel. It is set before men in one special way. It is only—through
Christ, by Christ, on account of Christ, and in inseparable
connection with the work of Christ. Let us glory in God's love by all
means. Let us proclaim to all the world that God is love. But let us
carefully remember that we know little or nothing of God's love which can
give us comfort, excepting in Jesus Christ. It is not written that God so
loved the world that He will take all the world to heaven—but that He so
loved it, that He has given His only begotten Son. He who ventures on God's
love without reference to Christ—is building on a foundation of sand!
Who can estimate the value of God's gift, when He gave to
the world His only begotten Son? It is something unspeakable and
incomprehensible! It passes man's understanding. There are two which man has
no arithmetic to compute, and no line to measure. One of these things is the
extent of that man's loss—who loses his own soul. The other is the extent of
God's gift—when He gave Christ to sinners. He gave no created thing
for our redemption, though all the treasures of earth, and all the stars of
heaven were at His disposal. He gave no created being to be our
Redeemer, though angels, principalities and powers in heavenly places, were
ready to do His will. Oh no! He gave us One who was nothing less than His
own fellow, fully and truly God—His only begotten Son! He who thinks lightly
of man's need and man's sin—would do well to consider man's
Savior! Sin must indeed be exceeding sinful, when the Father must needs
give His only Son to be the sinner's Friend and Savior!
Reader, have you ever considered to what the
Father gave His only begotten Son? Was it to be received with gratitude and
thankfulness by a lost and bankrupt world? Was it to reign in royal majesty
on a restored earth, and put down every enemy under His feet? Was it to
enter the world as a king, and to give laws to a willing and obedient
people? No! The Father gave His Son to be despised and rejected
by men, to be born of a poor woman, and live a life of poverty—to be
hated, persecuted, slandered, and blasphemed—to be counted as a criminal,
condemned as a transgressor, and die the death of a felon! Never was there
such love as this! Never such condescension! The man among ourselves who
cannot stoop much and suffer much in order to do good, knows nothing of the
mind of Christ.
For what end and purpose did the Father give His only
begotten Son? Was it only to supply an example of self-denial and
self-sacrifice? No! It was for a far higher end and purpose than this. He
gave Him to be a sacrifice for man's sin, and an atonement for man's
transgression. He gave Him to be delivered for our offences, and to die for
the ungodly. He gave Him to bear our iniquities, and to suffer for our
sins—the just for the unjust. He gave Him to be made a curse for us—that we
might be redeemed from the curse of the law. He gave Him who knew no sin—to
be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. He
gave Him to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only—but
for the sins of the whole world. He gave Him to be a ransom for us, and to
make satisfaction for our heavy debt to God by His own precious blood. He
gave Him to be the Almighty Friend of sinners—to be their Surety and
Substitute—to do for them what they never could have done for themselves—to
suffer what they could never have suffered—and to pay what they could never
have paid. All that Jesus did and suffered on earth was according to the
determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God. The chief end for which He
lived and died—was to provide eternal redemption for sinners.
Reader, beware of ever losing sight of the great
purpose for which Christ was given by God the Father. Let not the false
teaching of modern divinity, however plausible it may sound, tempt you to
forsake the old paths. Hold fast the faith once delivered to the saints,
that the special object for which Christ was given—was to die for
sinners, and to make atonement for them by His sacrifice on the cross. Once
give up this great doctrine, and there is little worth contending for in
Christianity. If Christ did not really bear our sins on the tree as our
Substitute, there is an end of all solid peace.
Beware, again, of holding narrow and confined views of
the extent of Christ's redemption. Regard Him as given by God the Father to
be the common Savior for all the world. See in Him the fountain for
all sin and wickedness, to which every sinner may come boldly, drink and
live. See in Him the brazen serpent set up in the midst of the camp, to
which every sin-bitten soul may look and be healed. See in Him a healing
medicine of matchless value, sufficient for the needs of all the world, and
offered freely to all mankind. The way to heaven is narrow enough already,
by reason of man's pride, hardness, sloth, listlessness, and unbelief. But
take heed that you do not make that way more narrow than it really is.
I confess, boldly—that I hold the doctrine of
particular redemption, in a certain sense, as strongly as any one. I
believe that none are effectually redeemed, but God's elect. They and
they alone, are set free from the guilt, and power, and consequences of sin.
But I hold no less strongly, that Christ's work of atonement is
sufficient for all mankind. There is a sense in which He has
tasted death for every man, and has taken upon Him the sin of the
world. I dare not pare down, and file away, what appear to me the plain
statements of Scripture. I dare not shut a door which God seems, to my eyes,
to have left open. I dare not tell any man on earth that Christ has done
nothing for him, and that he has no warrant to apply boldly to Christ for
salvation. I must abide by the statements of the Bible. Christ is God's gift
to the whole world.
Reader, I ask you to observe what a giving
religion, true Christianity is. Gift, love, and free-grace
are the grand characteristics of the pure gospel. The Father loves the
world—and gives His only begotten Son. The Son loves us—and gives Himself
for us. The Father and the Son together—give the Holy Spirit to all who ask.
All Three Persons in the Blessed Trinity give grace upon grace to those who
believe. Never be ashamed of being a giving Christian, if you profess
to have any hope in Christ. Give freely, liberally, and self-denyingly,
according as you have power and opportunity. Let not your love consist in
nothing more than vague expressions of kindness and compassion. Make
proof of it by actions. Help forward the cause of Christ on earth—by
money, influence, pains, and prayer. If God so loved you as to give His Son
for your soul—you should count it a privilege, and not a burden, to give
what you can to do good to men.
Reader, if God has given you His only begotten Son,
beware of doubting His kindness and love in any painful providence of
your daily life! Never allow yourself to think hard thoughts of God. Never
suppose that He can give you anything which is not really for your good.
Remember the words of Paul: "He who spared not His own Son—but delivered Him
up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things"
(Romans 8:32.) See in every sorrow and trouble of your earthly
pilgrimage—the hand of Him who gave Christ to die for your sins. That
hand can never smite you—except in love. He who gave you His only
begotten Son, will never withhold anything from you that is really
for your good. Lean back on this thought and be content. Say to yourself in
the darkest hour of trial, "This also is ordered by Him who gave Christ to
die for my sins. It cannot be wrong. It is done in love. It must be well."
3. The third thing I propose to consider, is the WAY in
which man obtains the benefit of God's love and Christ's salvation.
It is written that "whoever believes shall not perish."
Reader, the point before you is of the deepest
importance. To bring it out clearly before your eyes is one great object of
the tract you are now reading. God has loved the world. God has given His
Son "to be the Savior of the world" (1 John 4:14). And yet we learn from
Scripture that many people in the world never reach heaven! Here at any rate
is limitation. Here the gate is strait and the way narrow. Some and
some only out of mankind, obtain eternal benefit from Christ. Who then, and
what, are they?
Christ and His benefits are only available to those who
believe. This is a doctrine repeatedly laid down in Scripture, in
plain and unmistakable language. Those who will not believe in Him have no
part in Him. Without believing there is no salvation. It is vain to suppose
that any will be saved—merely because Christ was incarnate—or because Christ
is in heaven—or because they belong to Christ's church—or because they are
baptized—or because they have received the Lord's supper. All this is
entirely useless to any man—except he believes. Without faith on his part,
all these things together, will not save his soul. We must have personal
faith in Christ, personal dealings with Christ, personal
transactions with Christ—or we are lost for evermore. It is utterly
false and unscriptural to say that Christ is in every man. Christ no
doubt is for everyone—but Christ is not in everyone. He dwells
only in those hearts which have faith—and all, unhappily, have not faith. He
who believes not in the Son of God is yet in his sins—and the wrath
of God abides on him! "He who believes not," says our Lord Jesus Christ in
words of fearful distinctness—"He who believes not—shall be damned!" (Mark
6:16; John 3:36).
But Christ and all His benefits are the property of any
person who believes. Everyone who believes on the Son of God—is at once
pardoned, forgiven, justified, counted righteous, reckoned innocent, and
freed from all liability to condemnation! His sins, however many—are at once
cleansed away by Christ's precious blood. His soul, however guilty—is at
once clothed with Christ's perfect righteousness. It matters not what he may
have been in time past. His sins may have been of the worst kind. His former
character may be of the blackest description. But does he believe on the Son
of God? This is the one question. If he does believe, he is justified from
all things in the sight of God. It matters nothing that he can bring to
Christ nothing to recommend him—no good works, no long-proved amendments, no
unmistakable repentance and change of life. But does he this day, believe in
Jesus Christ? This is the grand question! If he does—he is at once accepted.
He is accounted righteous for Christ's sake.
But what is this believing,
which is of such matchless importance? What is the nature of this faith,
which gives a man such amazing privileges? This is an important question. I
ask your attention to the answer. Here is a rock on which many make
shipwreck. And yet there is nothing really mysterious and hard to understand
about saving belief. The whole difficulty arises from man's pride and
self-righteousness. It is the very simplicity of justifying faith, at
which thousands stumble. They cannot understand it—because they will not
stoop.
Believing on Christ is no mere intellectual assent—or
belief of the mind. This is no more than the faith of devils! We may believe
that there was a divine Person called Jesus Christ, who lived and died and
rose again, eighteen hundred years ago—and yet never believe so as to be
saved. Doubtless there must be some knowledge of the gospel, before
we can believe. There is no true religion in ignorance. But knowledge alone
is not saving faith.
Believing on Christ again is not mere feeling
something about Christ. This is often no more than temporary excitement,
which, like the early dew, soon passes away. We may be pricked in
conscience, and feel drawings toward the Gospel like Herod and Felix. We may
even tremble and weep, and show much affection for the truth and those that
profess it. And yet all this time our hearts and wills may remain
utterly unchanged and secretly chained down to the world. Doubtless there is
no saving faith where there is no feeling. But feeling alone—is not true
faith.
True belief in Christ is the unreserved trust of a heart
convinced of sin—in Christ, as an all-sufficient Savior. It is the combined
act of the whole man's mind, conscience, heart, and
will. It is often so weak and feeble at first, that he who has it,
cannot be persuaded that he has it. And yet, like life in the newborn
infant, his belief may be real, genuine, saving, and true. The moment that
the conscience is convinced of sin, and the head sees Christ
to be the only One who can save, and the heart and will lay
hold on the hand that Christ holds out—that moment there is saving faith. In
that moment a man truly believes.
True belief in Christ is so immensely important, that the
Holy Spirit has graciously used many figures in the Bible in describing it.
The Lord God knows the slowness of man to comprehend spiritual things. He
has therefore multiplied forms of expression, in order to set true faith
fully before us. The man who cannot understand "believing" in one form of
words, will perhaps understand it in another.
1. Believing is the soul's COMING to Christ.
The Lord Jesus says, "He who comes to Me shall never hunger." "Come
unto Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (John
6:35; Matt. 11:28). Christ is that Almighty Friend, Advocate, and
Physician, to whom all sinners, needing help, are commanded to apply.
The believer comes to Him by faith—and is relieved.
2. Believing is the soul's RECEIVING Christ.
Paul says, "You have received Christ Jesus the Lord" (Col. 2:6).
Christ offers to come into man's heart with pardon, mercy, and grace, and to
dwell there as its Peacemaker and King. He says, "I stand at the door and
knock" (Rev. 3. 20). The believer hears His voice, opens the door, and
admits Christ as his Teacher, Priest, and King.
3. Believing is the soul's BUILDING on Christ.
Paul says, you are "built up in Him." "You are built upon the
foundation of the apostles and prophets" (Col. 2:7; Ephes. 2:20). Christ is
that sure cornerstone, that strong foundation, which alone can bear the
weight of a sinful soul. The believer places his hopes for eternity on
Him—and is safe. The earth may be shaken and dissolved—but he is built upon
a rock, and will never be confounded.
4. Believing is the soul's PUTTING ON Christ.
Paul says, "As many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on
Christ" (Gal. 3:27). Christ is that pure white robe, which God has
provided for all sinners who would enter heaven. The believer puts on this
robe by faith—and is at once perfect, and free from any spot in God's sight.
5. Believing is the soul's LAYING HOLD on Christ.
Paul says, "We have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set
before us" (Heb. 6:18). Christ is that true city of refuge, to which
the man fleeing from the avenger of blood runs, and in which he is safe.
Christ is that altar which provided a sanctuary to him who laid hold
on its horns. Christ is that almighty hand of mercy, which God holds
out from heaven to lost and drowning sinners. The believer lays hold on this
hand by faith, and is delivered from the pit of hell.
6. Believing is the soul's EATING Christ.
The
Lord Jesus says, "My flesh is food indeed. He who eats of this
bread shall live forever" (John 6:55, 58). Christ is that divine food
which God has provided for starving sinners. He is that divine bread
which is at the same time—life, nourishment and medicine! The believer
feeds on this bread of life by faith. His hunger is relieved. His soul is
delivered from damnation!
7. Believing is the soul's DRINKING Christ.
The Lord Jesus says, "My blood is drink indeed" (John 6:55). Christ
is that fountain of living water which God has opened for the use of all
thirsty and sin-defiled sinners, proclaiming, "Whoever will, let him take
the water of life freely!" (Rev. 22:17). The believer drinks of this living
water—and his thirst is quenched.
8. Believing is the soul's COMMITTAL of itself to Christ.
Paul says, "He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him
against that day" (2 Tim. 1:12). Christ is the appointed keeper and guardian
of His people. It is His office to preserve from sin, death, hell, and the
devil--any who are committed to His charge. The believer places his soul in
the hands of this Almighty treasure-keeper, and is insured against loss to
all eternity. He trusts himself to Christ—and is safe.
9. Last—but not least, believing is the soul's LOOK to
Christ.
Paul describes the saints as "looking unto Jesus"
(Heb. 12:2). The invitation of the Gospel is, "look unto Me—and be saved"
(Isaiah 45:22). Christ is that brazen serpent which God has set up in the
world, for the healing of all sin-bitten souls who desire to be cured. The
believer looks to Him by faith--and receives life, health, and spiritual
strength!
One common remark applies to all the nine expressions
which I have just gone through. They all give us the simplest idea of
faith or believing—that man can desire. No one of them implies the
notion of anything mysterious, great, or meritorious in
the act of belief. All represent it as something within reach of the weakest
and feeblest sinner, and within the comprehension of the most ignorant and
unlearned. Grant for a moment that a man says, that he cannot understand
what faith in Christ is. Let him look at the nine expressions under
which faith is described in Scripture, and tell me, if he can, that he
cannot understand them. Surely he must allow that coming to Christ,
looking to Christ, committing our souls to Christ, laying
hold on Christ, are simple ideas. Then let him remember that coming,
looking, and committing our souls to Christ, are, in other words, believing.
And now, reader, if you love peace of conscience in your
religion, I entreat you to grasp firmly the great doctrine which I have
tried to set before you—and never let it go. Hold fast the grand truth, that
saving faith is nothing but simple trust in Christ, that faith alone
justifies, and that the one thing needful in order to obtain an interest in
Christ—is to believe. No doubt repentance, holiness, and love are excellent
things. They will always accompany true faith. But in the matter of
justification, they have nothing to do. In that matter, the one thing
needful is to believe. No doubt, belief is not the only grace to be
found in the heart of a true Christian. But only belief gives him a saving
interest in Christ. Prize that doctrine as the peculiar treasure of
Christianity. Once let it go, or add anything to it, and there is an end of
inward peace.
Prize the doctrine for its suitableness to the
needs of fallen man. It places salvation within reach of the lowest and
vilest sinner—if he has but heart and will to receive it. It asks him not
for works, righteousness, merit, goodness or worthiness. It requires
nothing of him. It strips him of all excuses. It deprives him of all
pretext for despair. His sins may have been as scarlet. But will he believe?
Then there is hope!
Prize the doctrine for its glorious simplicity. It
brings eternal life near to the poor, and ignorant, and unlearned. It does
not ask a man for a long confession of doctrinal orthodoxy. It does not
require a store of head knowledge, and an acquaintance with articles and
creeds. Does the man, with all his ignorance, come to Christ as a sinner,
and commit himself entirely to Him for salvation? Will he believe? If he
will—there is hope.
Above all, prize the doctrine for the glorious breadth
and fullness of its terms. It does not say "the elect" who believe,
or "the rich" who believe, or "the moral" people who believe, or "the
Churchman" who believes, or "the Dissenter" who believes—these, and these
only shall be saved. Oh! no, it uses a word of far wider signification: It
says, "Whoever believes, shall not perish." Whoever—whatever his past
life, conduct, or character; whatever his name, rank, job, or country;
whatever his denomination, and whatever place of worship he may have
attended; whoever believes in Christ shall not perish!
Reader, this is the Gospel. I do not marvel that Paul
wrote those words, "if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel
unto you than that which we have preached unto you—let him be accursed!"
(Gal. 1:8).
4. The fourth and last thing which I propose to consider,
is a point of great practical importance. I wish to show you the MARKS by
which true belief in Christ may be discerned and known.
The faith or believing of which I have spoken, is a grace
of such importance, that we may naturally expect to hear of many
counterfeits of it. There is a dead faith as well as a living
one. There is a faith of devils as well as a faith of God's elect.
There is a faith which is vain and useless, as well as a faith
which justifies and saves. How shall a man know whether he has
true faith? How shall he find out whether he believes to the saving of his
soul? The thing may be found out! The Ethiopian may be known by the
color of his skin; and the leopard may be known by his spots. True faith may
always be known by certain marks. These marks are laid down unmistakably in
Scripture. Reader, let me endeavor to set these marks plainly before you.
Look at them carefully—and test your own soul by what I am going to say.
1. He who truly believes in Christ—has inward PEACE and
HOPE.
It is written, "Being justified by faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." "We which have believed do
enter into rest" (Romans 5:1; Heb. 4:3). The believer's sins are
pardoned, and his iniquities taken away. His conscience is no longer
burdened with the load of unpardoned transgressions. He is reconciled to
God, and is one of His friends. He can look forward to death, judgment, and
eternity—without fear. The sting of death is taken away. When the
great judgment of the last day is held, and the books are opened—there will
be nothing laid to his charge. When eternity begins—he is provided for. He
has a hope laid up in heaven, and a city which cannot be moved. He may not
be fully sensible of all these privileges. His sense and view of them may
vary greatly at different times—and be often obscured by doubts
and fears. Like a child who is yet under age, though heir to a great
fortune—he may not be fully aware of the value of his possessions. But with
all his doubts and fears—he has a real, solid, true hope which will bear
examination, and at his best moments, he will be able to say, "I feel a hope
which makes me not ashamed." (Romans 5:5.)
2. He who truly believes in Christ—has a NEW HEART.
It is written, "If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature—old
things are passed away; behold, all things have become new." "To as many as
received Christ, He gave power to become sons of God, who were born not of
blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man—but of God."
"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ—is born of God" (2 Cor. 5:17;
John 1:12, 18; 1 John 5:1.) A believer has no longer the same nature with
which he was born. He is changed, renewed, and transformed after the image
of his Lord and Savior. He who minds first the things of the flesh—has no
saving faith. True faith, and spiritual regeneration, are inseparable
companions. An unconverted person is not a genuine believer!
3. He who truly believes in Christ—is a HOLY person in
heart and life.
It is written that God "purifies the heart by
faith," and that Christians are "sanctified by faith." "Whoever has this
hope in him, purifies himself." (Acts 15:9; 26:18; 1 John 3:3.). A believer
loves what God loves, and hates what God hates. His heart's desire is to
walk in the way of God's commandments, and to abstain from all manner of
evil. His wish is to follow after the things which are just, and pure, and
honest, and lovely, and of good report, and to cleanse himself from all
filthiness of flesh and spirit. He falls far short of his aim, in many
things. He finds his daily life a constant fight with indwelling
corruption. But he fights on, and resolutely refuses to serve sin.
Where there is no holiness, we may be sure there is no saving faith! An
unholy man is not a genuine believer!
4. He who truly believes in Christ—works godly WORKS.
It is written, that "faith works by love" (Gal. 5:6). True belief
will never make a man idle, or allow him to sit still, contented with his
own religion. It will stir him to do acts of love, kindness, and charity,
according as he sees opportunity. It will constrain him to walk in the steps
of his Master, who "went about doing good." In one way or another, it will
make him work. The works that he does may attract no notice from the
world. They may seem trifling and insignificant to many
people. But they are not forgotten by Him who notices a cup of cold water
given for His sake. Where there is no working love—there is no faith. A
lazy, selfish professing Christian, has no right to regard himself as a
genuine believer!
5. He who truly believes in Christ—overcomes the WORLD.
It is written, that "whoever is born of God overcomes the world—and this is
the victory which overcomes the world—even our faith" (1 John 5:4). A true
believer is not ruled by the world's standard of right or wrong, of
truth or error. He is independent of the world's opinion. He cares
little for the world's praise. He is not moved by the world's censure.
He does not seek for the world's pleasures. He is not ambitious of
the world's rewards. He looks at things unseen. He sees an invisible
Savior, a coming judgment, a crown of glory which never fades away. The
sight of these objects, makes him think comparatively little of this present
world. Where the world reigns in the heart, there is no genuine faith. A man
who is habitually conformed to the world, has no title to the name of a true
believer!
6. He who truly believes in Christ—has an inward
TESTIMONY of his belief.
It is written, that "he who believes on
the Son of God, has the witness in himself" (1 John 5:10). The mark before
us requires very delicate handling. The witness of the Spirit is
unquestionably a very difficult subject. But I cannot shrink from declaring
my own firm persuasion, that a true believer always has inward feelings
peculiar to himself—feelings which are inseparably connected with his faith,
and flow from it—feelings of which unbelievers know nothing at all. He has
the spirit of adoption, by which he regards God as a reconciled Father, and
looks up to Him without fear. He has the testimony of his conscience,
sprinkled with Christ's blood, that, weak as he is, he rests on Christ. He
has hopes, joys, fears, sorrows, consolations, expectations, of which he
knew nothing before he believed. He has internal evidences which the world
cannot understand—but which are better to him than all the books of evidence
in existence. Feelings are, no doubt, very deceitful. But where there are no
inward pious feelings—there is no faith. A man who knows nothing of an
inward, spiritual, experimental religion, is not yet a genuine believer!
7. Last—but not least, He who truly believes in
Christ—has a special regard in all his religion—to the person of CHRIST
Himself
. It is written, "Unto you that believe Christ is
precious" (1 Peter 2:7). That text deserves especial notice. It does not say
"Christianity" is precious, or the "Gospel" is precious, or "salvation" is
precious—but Christ Himself. A true believer's religion, does not consist in
mere intellectual assent to a certain set of propositions and doctrines. It
is not a mere cold belief of a certain set of truths and facts concerning
Christ. It consists in union, communion, and fellowship with an actual
living Person, even Jesus the Son of God. It is a life of faith in Jesus,
confidence in Jesus, leaning on Jesus, drawing out of the fullness of Jesus,
speaking to Jesus, working for Jesus, loving Jesus, and looking for Jesus to
come again. Such life may sound like enthusiasm to many. But where there is
true faith, Christ will always be known and realized, as an actual living
personal Friend. He who knows nothing of Christ as his own Priest,
Physician, and Redeemer, knows nothing yet of genuine believing!
Reader, I place these seven marks of believing before
you, and I ask you to consider them well. I do not say, that all believers
have them equally. I do not say, that no one will be saved, who cannot
discover all these marks in himself. I concede, freely, that many believers
are so weak in faith, that they go doubting all their days, and make others
doubt about them too. I simply say, that these are the marks to which a man
should first direct his attention, if he would answer the mighty question,
Do you believe?
Where the seven marks, of which I have just been
speaking, are utterly lacking, I dare not tell a man that he is a true
believer. He may be called a Christian, and attend a Christian church. He
may have been baptized with Christian baptism, and be a member of a
Christian church. But if he knows nothing of peace with God, conversion of
heart, newness of life, victory over the world, I dare not pronounce him a
believer. He is yet dead in trespasses and sins. Except he awakes to newness
of life, he will perish everlastingly.
Show me a man who has about him the seven marks which I
have described, and I feel a strong confidence about the state of his soul.
He may be poor and needy in this world—but he is rich in the sight of God.
He may be despised and sneered at by man—but he is honorable in the sight of
the King of kings. He is traveling towards heaven! He has a mansion ready
for him in the Father's house. He is cared for by Christ, while on earth. He
will be owned by Christ before assembled worlds, in the life which is to
come.
1. And now, reader, in drawing this tract to a
conclusion, I return to the QUESTION with which I began.
I press
that question on your conscience. I ask you, in my Master's name, whether
you yet know anything of the subject of it? I ask you, while these pages are
yet before your eyes, to look my inquiry in the face. I ask you, Do you
believe?
DO YOU BELIEVE? I think it impossible to overrate the
immense importance of the question before you. Life or death, heaven or
hell, blessing or cursing—all hinge and turn upon it. He who believes on
Christ—is not condemned. He who believes not—shall be damned. If you
believe—you are pardoned, justified, accepted in God's sight, and have a
title to everlasting life. If you do not believe—you are perishing daily.
Your sins are all upon your head, sinking you down to perdition. Every hour
you are so much nearer to hell.
DO YOU BELIEVE? It matters nothing what others are
doing. The question concerns yourself. The folly of other men is no excuse
for yours. The loss of heaven will not be less bitter, because you lose it
in company. Look at home. Think of your own soul.
DO YOU BELIEVE? It is no answer to say, that "you
sometimes hope Christ died for you." The Scriptures never tell us to spend
our time in doubts and hesitation on that point. We never read of a single
case of one who stood still on that ground. Salvation is never made to turn
on the question, whether Christ died for a man or not. The turning-point is
always set before us as believing.
DO YOU BELIEVE? This is the point to which all must come
at last, if they would be saved. It will signify little, when we hang on the
brink of the grave, what we have professed, and to what
denomination we have belonged. All this will sink into nothing, in
comparison with the question of this tract. All will be useless, if we have
not believed.
DO YOU BELIEVE? This is the common mark of all saved
souls. Episcopalians or Presbyterians, Baptists or Independents, Methodists
or Plymouth Brethren, Churchmen or Dissenters, all meet on this common
ground, if they are true men. On other matters they are often hopelessly
disagreed. But in living by faith on Jesus Christ, they are all one.
DO YOU BELIEVE? What reason can you give for unbelief,
that will bear examination? Life is short and uncertain. Death is sure.
Judgment is inevitable. Sin is exceeding sinful. Hell is a dreadful reality.
Christ alone can save you. There is no other name given under heaven,
whereby you can be saved. If not saved, the blame will be on your own head.
You will not believe! You will not come to Christ, that He may give you
life!
Reader, take warning this day. You must either believe on
Christ, or perish everlastingly. Rest not until you can give a satisfactory
answer to the question before you. Never be satisfied, until you can say,
By the grace of God I do believe!
2. I pass on from questions—to COUNSEL.
I
offer it to all who are convinced of sin, and dissatisfied with their own
spiritual condition. I entreat you to come to Christ by faith without delay.
I invite you this day to believe on Christ to the saving of your soul.
I will not let you put me off by the common objection,
"We cannot believe—we must wait until God gives us faith." I grant most
fully that saving faith, like true repentance, is the gift of God. I grant
that we have no natural power of our own to believe on Christ, receive
Christ, come to Christ, lay hold on Christ, and commit our soul to Christ.
But I see faith and repentance laid down clearly in Scripture as duties
which God requires at any man's hands. He "commanded all men to repent."
"This is His commandment, That we should believe" (Acts 17:30: 1 John 3:23).
And I see it laid down with no less clearness, that unbelief and impenitence
are sins for which man will be held accountable, and that he who does not
repent and believe, destroys his own soul. (Mark 16:16; Luke 13:3).
Will anyone tell me that it is right for a man to sit
still in sin? Will any one say that a sinner on the road to hell ought to
wait idly for some power to take him up and put him in the way of heaven?
Will any one say that it is right for a man to continue quietly serving the
devil, in open rebellion against God—and that he is to make no effort, no
struggle, no attempt to turn towards Christ?
Let others say these things, if they will. I cannot say
them. I can find no warrant for them in Scripture. I will not waste time in
trying to explain what cannot be explained, and unravel what cannot be
unraveled. I will not attempt to show philosophically in what way an
unconverted man can look to Christ, or repent, or believe. But this I know,
that it is my plain duty to bid every unbeliever to repent and believe. And
this I know, that the man who will not take the invitation, will find at
last that he has ruined his own soul!
Reader, trust Christ, look to Christ, cry to the Lord
Jesus Christ—if you never yet believed—about your soul. If you have not the
right feelings yet, ask Him to give you right feelings. If you dare not
think that you have true faith yet, ask Him to give you faith. But in any
case do not sit still. Do not idle away your soul into hell—in ignorant,
unscriptural sloth. Do not live on in senseless inactivity—waiting for you
know not what—expecting what you cannot explain—increasing your guilt every
day—offending God by continuing in lazy unbelief—and hourly digging a grave
in hell for your own soul. Arise and call upon Christ! Awake and cry to
Jesus about your soul! Whatever difficulties there may be about believing,
one thing at least is abundantly clear—no man ever perished and went to
hell—from the foot of the cross. If you can do nothing else, lie down at
the foot of the cross!
3. I finish all by a word of EXHORTATION to all believers
into whose hands this tract may fall.
I address them as
fellow-pilgrims and companions in tribulation. I exhort them, if they love
life, and have found any peace in believing, to pray daily for an increase
of faith. Let your prayer be continually, "Lord, increase my faith."
True faith admits of many degrees. The weakest
faith is enough to join the soul to Christ, and to secure salvation. A
trembling hand may receive a healing medicine. The feeblest infant
may be heir to the richest possessions. The least true faith gives a
sinner a title to heaven, as surely as the strongest. But little faith
can never give so much sensible comfort as strong faith.
According to the degree of our faith will be the degree of our peace, our
hope, our strength for duty, and our patience in trial. Surely we should
pray continually, "Increase our faith."
Believing reader, would you have more faith? Do you find
believing so pleasant, that you would like to believe more? Then take heed
that you are diligent in the use of every means of grace—diligent in your
private communion with God—diligent in your daily watchfulness over time,
temper, and tongue—diligent in your private Bible reading—diligent in your
own private prayers. It is vain to expect spiritual prosperity, when we are
careless about these things. Let those who will, call it over-precise
and legal to be particular about these things. I only reply, that
there never was an eminent saint who neglected them.
Reader, would you have more faith? Then seek to become
more acquainted with Jesus Christ. Study your blessed Savior more and more,
and strive to know more of the length and breadth and height of His love.
Study Him in all His offices, as the Priest, the Physician, the Redeemer,
the Advocate, the Friend, the Teacher, the Shepherd of His believing people.
Study Him as one who not only died for you—but is also living
for you at the right hand of God; as one who not only shed His blood
for you—but daily intercedes for you at the right hand of God; as one
who is soon coming again for you, and will stand once more on this earth.
The miner who is fully persuaded that the rope which draws him up from the
pit will not break, is drawn up without anxiety and alarm. The believer who
is thoroughly acquainted with the fullness of Jesus Christ, is the believer
who travels from grace to glory with the greatest comfort and peace.
Reader, I commend these things to your careful attention.