The Anxious Soul's Question
Acts 16:30, 31.
THE apostle Paul lived in a state of perpetual revival. He had only to come into Philippi, the principal city of Macedonia, and to sit by the river bank, and Lydia, the seller of purple, straightway believed and was baptized. He had only to walk along the streets to the place of prayer, and there was so much of power about him that “a certain damsel, possessed with the spirit of divination,” followed him and cried, saying, “These men are the servants of the most high God,” and “Paul being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas and drew them into the market place,” tore off their clothes, beat them with many stripes and cast them into an inner prison, fastening their feet in the stocks. But this did not in any way affect these servants of God. It was doubtless true in their case, as one of the modern poets has expressed it, that “stone walls do not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage,” for at midnight, in the midst of all the darkness, “they sang praises unto God and the prisoners heard them.” What a strange sound it must have been in the old jail, where ordinarily only curses had been heard! But suddenly there came a great earthquake; the foundations of the prison began to shake and the doors were thrown open and “every one’s bands were loosed.” In the midst of all this confusion, the jailer sprang into their presence, and was ready to kill himself, thinking the prisoners had escaped, when Paul exclaimed, “Do thyself no harm, for we are all here.”
“conviction” the first step
There is just in this connection a clear distinction drawn between men of influence and men of power. Ordinarily we say, what the church needs to-day is men of influence, meaning by this men of position. And so it does; but from this illustration I think we may argue, the greater demand is for men of power. Paul and Silas had not influence enough to keep themselves out of jail, but they had a power sufficient to pray down the prison walls and throw wide open its doors. There is also in the whole incident given to us a true and striking picture of what it means for one to be saved.
If I were an artist, I should like to draw upon a blackboard a great letter “C,” then fill out from that one letter four words. These four words would present to us a picture of this Philippian jailer not only, but also of the one who really and truly comes to Christ. The first word would be “Conviction.” This we surely find in the jailer, for we are told “he came trembling.” It is not possible for any one to be saved without first of all experiencing real conviction; however, it ought to be suggested that in different individuals it may manifest itself in different ways.
First. Sometimes it is evidenced in great need. One would display his ignorance if he were to assert that Nicodemus, for example, was the chief of sinners; for he was a ruler of his people, an honored member of the Sanhedrin, a most circumspect man in every way; but in his heart there was a great sense of his need, which his position had never satisfied; and this compelled him, I imagine, to seek out the Great Teacher.
Second. Not infrequently it may assume the form of a sense of complete unworthiness, such as the poor publican had when he said, “God be merciful to me a sinner;” but the article there in the Greek was a definite one, and what he really said was this: “God be merciful to me the sinner,” as if he were the only one in the world. This is a most hopeful condition.
Third. As a rule, it is the consciousness that we have sinned and are, therefore, under condemnation that disturbs us; and in the unregenerate state, it is the fearfulness that the penalty of the broken law may fall upon us; yet I am quite clear in my own mind that there may be a deeper conviction of one’s sins after one’s regeneration than before.
Stanley tells us that he found men in Africa who never knew that they were black until they looked upon a white man. So many a man can never know what sin is until he sees it in the presence of Jesus Christ. But whatever the form of conviction, it must surely be experienced before the light will dawn. Come to him just as you are, for He can satisfy your longings by filling you with Himself and He is able to blot out all your transgressions and forgive all your sins.
“contrition” the next essential
The second word starting with the letter “C” would be “Contrition.” This the Philippian jailer had, for he “fell down before them.” It is certainly true that one cannot come to God unless, first of all, he be possessed of the broken and contrite heart. Why should this not be true? We have sinned against God and there must be contrition for it if we are to be forgiven. God may be ever so willing to forgive, still he does not do it without contrition.
In the State prison of Iowa there is a young man held as a convict, against whom the charge of arson stands, and also the attempt to kill. Very recently, the party whose building was fired circulated a petition asking that the young man be pardoned; the man whose life was attempted followed his example, and succeeded in securing the name of the judge, by whom he was sentenced, the attorney who prosecuted him, and the entire jury which found him guilty. This petition was carried to the Governor. In the face of it, strong as it was, he said, “No, the man cannot be pardoned; for,” said he “his crime was not committed against the individual, but against the commonwealth of Iowa, and he must serve his sentence.” And it ought to be remembered by the sinner that these words are true, “Against thee and thee only have I sinned.” So there must be contrition or there cannot be salvation; and yet what a marvelous thing it is that, if one be ever so great a sinner, the moment this spirit is manifest God blots out all his transgressions. C5
It is stated that, in St. Petersburg, a father’s heart was well-nigh broken because of the prodi gality of his son who was addicted to the habit of gambling, and with that came the accompanying vices. At last the old father conceived the idea that what the boy needed was better surroundings, and so he set out to secure them. What a mistake this is and how many have made it! That is not what you need. This father of whom I speak secured his son’s appointment in the army, but he went from bad to worse until he had reached the end of it all. Completely discouraged, he was casting up his accounts and, when the overwhelming sum was known, in great desperation he wrote at the bottom of the column these words, “Who is to pay all this?”
The Emperor of Russia, going through the barracks to inspect the soldiers, passed this young man, who, with his head in his arms, had fallen asleep. The emperor, glancing at the figures before him on the table, read the question, and then bending over wrote one word, “Nicholas.” And the story goes that that one man was free. I do not know whether this story is true, but I do know that if you enumerate all of your sins from the earliest recollection to the present moment, and beneath the sum of them all write this question, “Who is to pay all this?” there will be one name written in answer to it,
“Sweetest name on mortal tongue.
Sweetest note in seraph song,
Sweetest carol ever sung,
Jesus, blessed Jesus.”
THEN FOLLOWS “CONVERSION”
The third word starting from the letter “C” would be “Conversion,” and this we find in the Philippian jailer, for we are told “he washed their stripes.” This was surely a great change in the man. At first he exultingly fastened their feet in the stocks, and now I can imagine him tearfully stooping down with cooling touch to ease their pain. There must be conversion if we are ever to be saved.
I am speaking of the new birth, that is, God’s part lot it; but I am emphasizing the thing man must do if he is ever to see the light. In one way it is “Right about face!” or it is following the example of the blind men who “put themselves in the way of Jesus”; or it is the obedience of the lepers who, as they went, were cleansed. Indeed, to sum it all up, it is for the unsaved man to have “the willing mind.” (Isa. i :19-)
God never saved any man until, first of all, he was willing to be saved; so whether one kneels at the altar, or bows in prayer in his own home, or stands in the crowded audience, or signs the inquirer’s card, the end of all these things must be the submission of the will to God; and then he does His own work, and we are born again, or from above.
CONFESSING CHRIST BEFORE MEN
The fourth and last word to be completed from the letter “C” is “Confession,” and this is clearly found in the experience of the jailer; for we are told “he was baptized.” What a mistake it is for a man to believe in his heart and fail to confess with his lips! Such a position is never satisfactory, and never brings real joy. It is not being obedient, to say the least. If your physician should write a prescription for you in your sickness, and you should have it filled in a peculiar way, putting in two parts and leaving out two parts, he would have the right to find fault with you and tell you that you would never get well until you took the whole prescription. It is true with the Great Physican in our sin sickness; he has written the prescription that assures us of life. It is composed of two parts (Rom. 10:9, 10):
First. Believe in your heart that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and acknowledge Him as Lord.
Second. Confess with your lips that you have appropriated Him, not as a Saviour, but as your Saviour, for if one desires to be fully saved he must commit himself. It is not walking with the army that constitutes one a soldier; it is not the wearing of the garment of a soldier that makes him such, for this may be hired or stolen; but it is the definite enlistment, and this comes to one who would be a soldier of Jesus Christ when he definitely and clearly confesses Him. This is his enlistment.
THE QUERY OF THE UNSAVED
“What, therefore, must I do to be saved?” This seems to be the unsaved man’s first query. Philosophy has never yet answered this question. Infidelity has tried it, and made it a mockery. God’s answer is clear and simple. The Bible says, “By grace areye saved through faith; and that not of ourselves: it is the gift of God.” “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” It is very easy to receive a gift; the first step in salvation is not to give something, but rather to receive; then, receiving eternal life, you may give yourself unto Him for service.
Man would naturally say, if you would be a son of God, try to walk as a son and you will eventually become such. But God makes it very clear that there can be no real life until there is a step taken, first of all, by faith; then He reveals Himself. The things of God are spiritually discerned, and God is a revelation, not an explanation. To make it very clear, the best answer is the one given to the Philippian jailer: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” There is something very significant in the way the names of Jesus Christ are used. For example, when he is called Lord, it is to emphasize His kingly office, or His reigning power; and what can the meaning be but this, when we are told to believe on him as Lord? We must reach the place where we are willing to let Hirrurule and reign in our life. Can you submit to this? He will never make a failure of it. Give Him absolute control; never take a step without His guidance — this is the secret of grace and joy.
Jesus is the earthly name, and we are told that “thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.” It must be necessary, then, for one to get a conception of Him as He hangs upon the cross; and certainly we know He was there for just one purpose, namely, “that he might die in our stead.”
Major Whittle tells the story of a company of bushwackers, arrested in Missouri during the days of the Civil War. They were sentenced to be shot, when a young boy touched the commanding officer on the arm and said, “Won’t you allow me to take the place of the man standing yonder? He has a family, and he will be greatly missed; no one will miss me. May I take his place?” When the officer had given his consent, the young boy stepped forward, drew the man out of line and stepped in his place. When the command was given to fire, the boy fell dead; his grave is still to be found in the little Missouri town, and on the little stone that marks it are cut these words, “Sacred to the memory of Willie- Lear; he took my place.” The commanding officer’s name was John McNeill, and the story was vouched for recently by one of the officer’s personal friends in Evansville, Ind.
This is true of Jesus Christ; He died that we might live, but we must accept Him. There is no life except in Him, and the idea of substitution is found in all the Bible. He is also called Christ, but this is His resurrection name, and as Christ he stands this moment at the right hand of God, making intercession for us. Can you accept Him there?
It does seem to me that this makes the whole Christian life very plain. He is my Lord, because He rules me; He is Tesubecause he died to save me; and He is Christ because, whenever the mistakes of life overtake “meTHe stands at God’s right hand to make explanation and intercession. Do you thus receive Him?
It is also to be remembered that, in the case of the Philippian jailer, light came in all its clearness when “they spake unto him the word of the Lord.” I have very little confidence in that man who is not founded upon God’s Word for assurance of his salvation. I have all the hope imaginable for that one who will receive it with meekness. I do not mean that he should be able at once to explain it; I only ask that by faith he receive it (John 5:24). I am persuaded that, if we could only persuade men to receive the Word of God, it would mean a joy unspeakable and a peace which the world cannot give, neither take away. One could not live in the promise and declaration of John’s third chapter and sixteenth verse without rejoicing in hope. Say it over and over to yourself this way, and thus make it your own verse: “God so loved ‘me’ that he gave his only begotten Son that ‘I’ might believe in him and should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
J5
I would not have you forget in this interesting story of the jailer, that he was baptized. Baptism is inseparably connected with believing and is as certainly a command of God’s as that we believe. We may differ as to the mode, but too much emphasis cannot be placed upon the command itself; it is, of course, true that one may be saved without it, as, for example, the thief on the cross; as for him, it was impossible; but I should be afraid to run the risk when Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned.” At least, when we stand before Him, we could but say that we had neglected to do as He commanded. It is the experience of Christians everywhere that this one of the sacraments brings upon the believer a marvelous blessing, and leads him out into an experience which can never be described in words.
It is not to be forgotten that when all these steps had been taken by the Philippian jailer he rejoiced, believing in God, with all his house. That word is certainly true that “in his presence is fullness of joy, and at his right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” And why should it not be so?
One of my friends, a Scotchman, told me that some time ago he was going through his native land and stopped at a little cottage by the wayside to rest; when he entered the room his first inclination was to be seated in a very comfortable chair, which occupied a prominent place in the room; but just as he made the attempt an old Scotchwoman sprang to the chair and, lifting- her hand, exclaimed, “Nay, nay, man; don’t sit there,” and then she pointed to the scarlet cord fastened around the chair, which he had not noticed before, and explained, “One day Her Majesty, the Queen, a sudden storm coming upon her, left her carriage and came into this house.” And, with a look of great reverence, this venerable woman added: “She sat in this chair, and when
she went away we fastened this scarlet cord about it, and I said, ‘We will give it to John, and he can keep it in his family,’ for was it not wonderful that Her Majesty, the Queen, had used it?” But I have. a greater cause for rejoicing; Jesus Christ, the King of kings has counted it a joy to take up His abode in my heart. He has cajt^mund me the scarlet cord which marks me as His own. It is a great thing for me to say that He is mine, but it is greater far for me to declare that I am His, and with the Philippian jailer, therefore, I rejoice with exceeding great joy.