There is one question that is, above all others, of greatest importance. Our Lord himself asked it. "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" The question is not, "Are you religious?" Most everyone is. In comparison with this question, all questions concerning denominational affiliations and theological opinions are insignificant. How can I put this question to you with due solemnity? "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" Life and death, heaven and hell, eternal bliss and eternal misery depend upon your answer. Perhaps there are some of you whose hearts are troubled by this question. You may be genuinely concerned about the state of your soul. You are wandering, "What is it to believe on Christ". Let me try to help you. There are three things essential to what we call saving faith.
1. BEFORE ANY MAN CAN BELIEVE ON CHRIST, HE MUST HAVE A KNOWLEDGE OF HIM. This knowledge comes through the
preaching of the gospel. When the Holy Spirit applies the preached word, he
makes us to know our need of Christ. He teaches us our guilt and helplessness.
And he makes us to know who Christ is and what he has done. He shows us that
the Son of God died in the place of sinners, satisfying divine justice, and
that he has power to save sinners upon the merits of his substitutionary work.
2. THERE MUST BE AN ASSENT, OR AGREEMENT, TO THE TESTIMONY GOD HAS GIVEN CONCERNING HIS SON. True faith is more than just agreeing with the historical facts and doctrinal truths of the gospel. But wherever there is true faith, there is an agreement in the heart with God's testimony in the gospel.
3. THE SINNER MUST TRUST
CHRIST. Do you realize your wretched condition before God? Do you know
yourself to be a sinner, helpless, and undone? Do you assent to the truth of
the gospel? Ail of this is good. But something more is required. You must cast
yourself upon the arms of mercy. You must commit your soul, and all your hopes
of salvation and life to the Son of God, knowing that it is in his power to
show you mercy and grant you eternal life. You must believe on Christ.
A guilty, weak and helpless
worm,
On Christ's kind arms I fall.
"Dost thou believe on the
Son of God?" God help you to believe.