“What do you do with them?” “Why, I believe them.”
And when I am told, “I would not believe anything that I do not understand,” I simply reply that I do.
There are many things which were dark and mysterious five years ago, on which I have since had a flood of light; and I expect to be finding out something fresh about God throughout eternity. I make a point of not discussing disputed passages of Scripture. An old divine has said that some people, if they want to eat fish, commence by picking the bones. I leave such things till I have light on them. I am not bound to explain what I do not comprehend. “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us, and to our children, for ever” (Deut. xxii. 29); and these I take, and eat, and feed upon, in order to get spiritual strength.
Than there is a little sound advice in Titus iii. 9. “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”
But now here comes an honest sceptic. With him I would deal as tenderly as a mother with her sick child. I have no sympathy with those people who, because a man is sceptical, cast him off and will have nothing to do with him.
I was in an Inquiry-meeting, some time ago, and I handed over to a Christian lady, whom I had known some time, one who was sceptical. On looking round soon after I noticed the enquirer marching out of the hall. I asked, “Why have you let her go?” “Oh, she is a sceptic!” was the reply. I ran to the door and got her to stop, and introduced her to another Christian worker who spent over an hour in conversation and prayer with her. He visited her and her husband; and, in the course of a week, that intelligent lady cast off her scepticism and came out an active Christian. It took time, tact, and prayer; but if a person of this class is honest we ought to deal with such an one as the Master would have us.
Here are a few passages for doubting enquirers:
“If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John vii. 17). If a man is not willing to do the will of God he will not know the doctrine. There is no class of sceptics who are ignorant of the fact that God desires them to give up sin; and if a man is willing to turn from sin and take the light and thank Him for what He does give, and not expect to have light on the whole Bible all at once, he will get more light day by day; make progress step by step; and be led right out of darkness into the clear light of heaven.
In Daniel xii. 10 we are told: “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried: but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.”
Now God will never reveal His secrets to His enemies. Never! And if a man persists in living in sin he will not know the doctrines of God.