SOVEREIGN GRACE
by D.L. Moody
GOSPEL DIALOGUES.
I.-MR. MOODY AND REV. MARCUS RAINSFORD.
WHAT IT IS TO BE A CHILD OF GOD.
(95) MR. MOODY–What is it to be a child
of God ? What is the first step ?
Rev. M. Rainsford-Well, sir, I am a child of God when I become united to the Son of
God. The Son of God prayed that all who believed upon Him should be one with Him, as He
was one with the Father. Believing on Jesus, I receive Him, and become united to Him; I
become, as it were, a member of his Body. I am an heir of God, a joint heir with Christ.
Mr. M.–What is the best definition of Faith?
Mr. R.–Trust in the Son of God, as the Saviour He has given to us. Simple trust,
not only in a creed, but in a Person. I trust my soul to Him I trust the keeping of my
soul to Him. God has promised that whosoever trusts Him, mercy shall compass him on every
side.
Mr. M.–Does not the Scripture say that the devils, believe?
(96) Mr. R.–They believe the truth, do they
not ? They believe that Jesus was manifested to destroy them; and they
"tremble." , I wish we believed as truly and as fully that God sent His Son into
the world to save us.
Mr. M.–What is it to trust?"
Mr. R.–I take it to mean four things:
- Believing on Christ: that is, taking Him at His Word.
- Hoping in Christ : that is, expecting help from Him, according to His Word.
- Relying on Christ: That is, resting on Him for the times, and ways, and circumstances in
which He may be pleased to fulfill His promises according to His Word.
- Waiting on Christ: that is, continuing to do so, notwithstanding delay, darkness,
barrenness, perplexing experiences, and the sentence of death in myself. He may keep me
waiting awhile (I have kept Him a long time waiting); but He will not keep me waiting
always. Believing in Him, hoping in Him, relying upon Him, and waiting for Him–I
understand to be trusting in Him.
Mr. M.–Can all these friends here believe the promises?
Mr. R.–The promises are true, whether we believe them or not. We do not make them
true by believing them. God could not charge me with being an unbeliever, or condemn me
for unbelief, if the promises were not true for me. I could in that case turn round and
say: "Great God, - why did you expect me to believe a promise that was not true for
me? "And yet the Scriptures set forth unbelief as the greatest sin I can
continue to commit.
(97) Mr. M.–How are we "cleansed by the
Blood."
Mr. R.–"The blood is the life." The sentence upon sinners for their sin
was, "The soul that sinneth it shall die." That we might not die, the Son of God
died. The blood is the poured-out life of the Son of Cod, given as the price, the
atonement, the substitute, for the forfeited life of the believer in Jesus Christ. Any
poor sinner who receives Christ as God's gift is cleansed from all sin by His Blood.
Mr. M.–Was the blood shed for us all?
Mr. R.–
There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel's veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there may we, though vile as he,
Wash all our sins away."
Mr. M.–Some may think that this is only a hymn, and that it is not Scripture.
Did the Lord ever say anything similar to what the hymn says?
Mr. R.–He said: "I have given you the blood upon the altar to make an
atonement for your souls." That was said of the picture of the blood of Christ. And
at the Last Supper our Lord said His blood was "the blood of the new testament which
is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins."
Mr. M. –What is "the gift of God?"
Mr. R.–There are three great gifts that God has given to us (98)
- His blessed Son.
- The Holy Ghost, "the promise of the Father," that we might understand the
unspeakable gift bestowed on us when He gave His Son.
- He has given us His Holy Word.
The Holy Ghost has inspired the writers of it that we may read, and hear, and know the
love that God has to us, " in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for
us." We could not have the Son for our Saviour, unless God gave Him. We could not
understand the gift of God, unless the Holy Ghost had come to quicken us and teach us; and
this He does through the Word.
Mr. M.–How much is there in Christ for us who believe ?
Mr. R.–In Him dwelt " all the fullness of the Godhead bodily "-fullness
of life, of righteousness, of sanctification, of redemption, title to heaven, and meetness
for it; all that God wants from us, and all that we want from God, He gave in the person
of Christ.
Mr. M.–How long does it take God to justify a sinner ?
Mr. R.–How long ? The moment we receive Him we receive authority to enroll
ourselves among the children of God, and are then and there justified from all things. The
sentence of complete justification does not. take long to pronounce. Some persons profess
to see a difficulty in the variety of ways in which a sinner is said to be justified
before God: (1) justified by God; (2) justified by Christ; (3) justified by
His Blood ; (4) justified by grace ; (5) justified by faith ; (6) justified by works.
(99) Justification has reference to a court of
justice. Suppose a sinner standing at the bar of God, the bar of conscience, and the bar
of his fellow-men, charged with a thousand crimes.
- There is the judge: that is God, who alone can condemn or justify: "It is God that
justifieth." That is justification by God.
- There is the Advocate, who appears at court for the sinner; the counselor, the
intercessor: that is Christ. "Justified by Christ."
- There is next to be considered the ground and reason on account of which the Advocate
pleads before the judge. That is the merit of His own precious Blood. That is
justification by His Blood.
- Next we must remember the law which the judge is dispensing. The law of works? Nay, but
the law of grace and faith. That is justification by His grace.
- And now the judge himself pronounces the result. "Be it known unto you that through
this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him all that believe are
justified from all things." Now, for the first time, the sinner at the bar knows the
fact. This is justification by faith.
- But now the justified man leaves the criminal's dock. He does not return to his prison,
or to his chains. He walks forth from the court-house a justified man; and all men,
friends or foes, are made aware that he is free. That is " justification by
works."
Mr. M.–A man says: " I have not found peace." How would you deal with
him?
Mr. R.–He is really looking for the wrong thing. I (100)
do not look for peace. I look for Christ; and I get peace with Him. Some people put
peace in the place of Christ. Others put their repentance or prayers in the place of
Christ. Anything put in the place of Christ, or between the sinner and Christ, is
in the wrong place. When I get Christ, I possess in Him everything that belongs to
Him, as my Saviour.
Mr. M.–Some think they cannot be Christians until they are sanctified.
Mr. R.–Christ is my Sanctification, as much as my justification. I cannot be
sanctified but by His blood. There is a wonderful passage in Exodus. The high priest there
represented in picture the Lord Jesus Christ. There was to be placed on the forefront of
the miter of the high priest, when he stood before God, a plate of pure gold, and
graven upon it as with a signet, the words: "Holiness to the Lord." My faith
sees it on the forefront of the miter on the brow of my High Priest in heaven, "And
it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things,
which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts ; and it shall be
always upon his forehead, that THEY may be accepted before the Lord." That was
for Israel of old! That on the brow of Jesus Christ is for me. Yes–for me,
" that I may be accepted before the Lord," As I believe this truth it purifies
my heart, it operates on my affections and my desires; and I seek to walk with Him,
because He is my Sanctification before God, just as I trust in Him as my
justification-because He shed His blood for me.
Mr. M.–What is it to believe on His name?
Mr. R.–His name is His revealed self. We are informed (101) what it is in Exodus. Moses was in the mount with God, and He had
shown him wonderful things of kindness and of love. And Moses said, "O God, show me
thy glory!" And He said, " I will make all my goodness pass before
thee." So He put Moses in the cleft of the rock, and proclaimed the name of the Lord
: "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in
goodness and truth; keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression,
and sin" –there it is, root and branch–"and that will by no means
clear guilty." That is His name ; and His glory He will not give unto another: and to
believe in the name of the Lord is just to shelter under His promises.
Mr. M.–What is it to "receive the Kingdom of God like a little child?
"
Mr. R.–Well, I do not believe in a little child being an innocent thing. I think
it means that we are to receive it in all our need and helplessness. A little child is the
most dependent thing on earth. All its resources are in its parents' love: all it can do
is to cry; and its necessities explain the meaning to the mother's heart. If we interpret
its language, it means: "Mother, wash me;. I cannot wash myself. Mother, clothe me; I
am naked, and cannot clothe myself. Mother, feed me; I cannot feed myself. Mother, carry
me; I cannot walk." It is written, "A mother may forget her sucking child; yet I
will not forget thee." This it is to receive the Kingdom of God as a little
child–to come to Jesus in our helplessness and say: "Lord Jesus, wash me!"
"Clothe me!" "Feed me!" "Carry me!" "Save me, Lord, or
I perish."
(102) Mr. M.–A good many say they
are going to try. What would you say to such ?
Mr. R.-God wants no man to "try." Jesus has already tried. He has not only
tried, but He has succeeded. "It is finished." Believe in Him who has "made
an end of sins, making reconciliation for iniquity, finishing transgression, and bringing
in everlasting righteousness."
Mr. M.–If people say they are "going to try," what would you
say to them ?
Mr. R. –I should say, Put trusting in the place of trying; believing in
the place of doubting; and I should urge them to come to Christ as they are, instead of
waiting to be better. There is nothing now between God the Father and the poor sinner, but
the Lord Jesus Christ; and Christ has put away sin that I may be joined to the Lord.
"And he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit;" "And where the spirit
of the Lord is, there is liberty."
Mr. M.–About the last thing an anxious inquirer has to contend with is his
feelings. There are hundreds here very anxious to know they are safe in the Kingdom; but
they think they have not the right kind of feeling. What kind of feeling should they have?
Mr. R.-I think there are several of those present who can say that they found a
blessing in the aftermeetings through one verse of Scripture. I will quote it as an answer
to Mr. Moody's question. "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the
voice of His servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light ? Let him trust in the
name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." Some of you may be walking (103) in darkness -, that is how you feel. What is God's
command ? "Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." If I
am to trust God in the darkness, I am to trust Him anywhere.
Mr. M.–You would advise them, then, to trust in the Lord, whether they have the
right kind of feeling or not?
Mr. R.–If I were to think of my feelings for a moment, I should be one of the most
miserable men in this hall to-night. My feelings are those of a sinful corrupt
nature. I am just to believe what God tells me in spite of my feelings. Faith is
"the evidence of things not seen:" I might add," the evidence of things not
felt."
Mr. M.–Some may say that faith is the gift of God: and that they must wait till
God imparts it to them.
Mr. R.–" Faith cometh by hearing." The word of God is the medium through
which faith comes to us. God has given us Christ; and He has given us His Spirit, and His
Word: what need is there to wait? God will give faith to the man who reads His Word and
seeks for His Spirit.
Mr. M.–What, then, should they wait for?
Mr. R.–I do not know of anything they have to wait for. God says: "Come now;
Believe now." No, no; there is nothing to wait for. He has given us all He has to
give: and the sooner we take it the better.
Mr. M.–Perhaps some of them think they have too many sins to allow their
coming.
Mr. R.–The Lord Jesus has put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. "As far
as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from (104) us." Why do we not believe him? He says He has
's made an end of sins." Why do we not believe Him? Is He a liar?
Mr. M.–Is unbelief a sin?
Mr. R.–It is the root of all sin.
Mr. M.–Has a man the power to believe these things, if he will?
Mr. R.–When God gives a command, it means that we are able by His grace to do it.
Mr. M.–What do you mean by " coming" to Christ?
Mr. R.–Believing in Him. If I were to prepare a great feast in this hall tomorrow
night, and say that any man that comes to it would have a grand feast and a
five-pound note besides, there would not be any question as to what, coming" meant.
God has prepared a great feast. He has sent His messengers to invite all to come; and
there is nothing to pay.
Mr. M.–What is the first step?
M.-. R.–To believe.
Mr. M–Believe what?
Mr. R.–God's invitation; God's promise; God's provision. Let us believe the
faithfulness of Him who calls us. Does God intend to mock us, and make game of us? If He
did so to one man, it would hush all the harps in heaven.
Mr. M.–Suppose the people do "come," and that they fall into sin
tomorrow?
Mr. R.–Let them come back again. God says we are to forgive till seventy times
seven. Do you think the great God will do less than He commands us to do?
Mr. M.–If they truly come, will they have the desire to do the things they used
to do before?
(105) Mr. R.–When a man really receives
Christ into his heart, he experiences " the expulsive power of a new affection."
The devil may tempt him to sin; but sin has lost its attraction. A man finds out that it
does not pay to grieve God's Holy Spirit.
Mr. M.–What would you advise your converts to do?
Mr. R.–When you were little babes, if you had had no milk, no clothing, and no
rest, you would not have lived very long. You are now the result of your fathers' and
mothers' care. When a man is born in the family of God he has life; but he needs food.
"Man doth not live by bread alone." If you do not feed upon God's promises you
will be of no use in God's service: it will be well for you if your life does not die out
altogether before long. Then you need exercise. If you only take food, and do no work, you
will soon suffer from what I may call spiritual apoplexy. When you get hold of a promise,
go and tell it to others. The best way for me to get help for myself is by trying to help
others. There is one great promise that young disciples should never forget: "He
that watereth shall be watered also himself."
Mr. M.–How are they to begin?
Mr. R.–I believe there are some rich ladies and rich gentlemen on the platform.
When such persons are brought to the Lord, they are apt to be ashamed to speak about
salvation to their old companions. If our Christian ladies would go amongst other ladies,
Christian gentlemen amongst gentlemen of their own class; and so on–we should see a
grand work for Christ. Each of you have some friends or relations whom you (106) can influence better than anybody else can. Begin
with them; and God will give you such a taste for work that you will not be content to
stay at home: you will go and work outside as well.
Mr. M.–A good place to start in would be the kitchen, would it not? Begin with
some little kitchen meetings. Let some of you get fifteen or twenty mothers together; and
ask them to bring their young children with them. Sing some of these sweet hymns; read a
few verses of Scripture; get your lips opened ; and you will find that streams of
salvation will be breaking out all around. I always think that every convert ought to be
good for a dozen others right away.
Mr. R.–Let me tell a little incident in my own experience. I was once asked to go
and see a great man and tell him about Christ. He did not expect me; and if I had known
that, perhaps I should not have had the faith to go at all. When I went he was very angry
and very nearly turned me out of the house. He was an old man, and had one little
daughter. A few weeks afterwards he went to the Continent, and his daughter went with him.
One day when he was very ill he saw his daughter looking at him, while the tears rolled
down her cheeks. " My child," he said, "what are you crying about?"
" Oh, papa, you do not love the Lord Jesus Christ; I am afraid you are going to
hell!" "Why do you say that ?" "Do you not remember when Mr. Rainsford
called to see you, you were very rude to him? I never saw you so angry. And he only wished
to speak to you about Jesus." Well, my child, you shall read to me about Jesus."
If that (107) man has gone to heaven–I do not
say whether he has or not–the only light he had he got from his little
daughter. You set to work; and you cannot tell what may be the result, by the
blessing of God.
Sons of God, beloved in Jesus
Oh, the wondrous word of grace!
In His Son the Father sees us,
And as sons He gives us place.
"Blessed power now brightly beaming-
On our God we soon shall gaze;
And in light celestial gleaming
We shall see our Saviour's face.
"By the. power of grace transforming
We shall then His image bear;
Christ His promised word performing,
We shall then His glory share."
El Nathan.
Gospel Dialogue II: How To Be A
Christian
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