PRESENT SALVATION.
Another verse that has been used a great deal during the past two years, and I feel that I rest my own salvation on it, is John v. 24. I trust God will write it on your hearts, and burn it down into your souls. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life.” Thank God for that “hath.”
I had a few men in the inquiry-room the other night who could not find peace. I said, “Do you believe the Bible?” “Yes, sir.” “I think I will prove you don’t. Turn up John v. 24.” They turned it up. “Read the verse.” “‘He that heareth My Word—’” “You believe that?” “Yes, sir.” “‘And believeth on Him that sent me—’” “You believe God sent Jesus?” “Yes.” “Well, read on.” “‘Hath everlasting life.’” “You believe you have everlasting life?” “No, we don’t.” “Oh, I thought you didn’t believe in the Bible!” What right have you to cut a verse in two, and say you believe the one half, but not the other? It plainly says, that he who believes “hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” Why, if you believe God’s words, you can say, “I have passed from darkness into light.” Just by resting on that one little word in the present tense we may have “assurance” now. We don’t need to wait till we die, and till the great day of judgment, to find it out.