46 Can I Be Saved?

Can I Be Saved? When a question of importance is proposed, we naturally take some notice of the person making the inquiry, and generally endeavor to ascertain his motive for so doing. Many ask questions from mere curiosity, without any practical object in view. Others, because an idea strikes them at the moment — but as they are suddenly impressed, so the impression suddenly passes away — and therefore they either do not wait for an answer, or they pay no attention to it when it is given. The question now proposed is of the greatest importance. It has interested thousands, and it will interest thousands more. But before we reply to it, it may be well to propose two or three other questions to the person who proposes this.

Friend, are you lost? Do you perceive that you are in the greatest danger — and that without a deliverer, you must perish forever? The Son of Man came to seek and to save those who are lost. Unless you feel that you are a lost sinner — you do not realize your need of a Savior. Do you sincerely desire to be saved? To be saved immediately? Is salvation in your estimation the one thing needful? Do you perceive that nothing is important, but as it stands connected with your salvation? Are you willing to be saved in God’s way? If God is to save a sinner, he will do it in his own way. Man has no choice in the matter. His one business is to submit to God’s plan, and accept of the blessing in God’s way. If you propose the question thoughtfully and heartily — then you are willing to be saved in God’s way. Will you seek salvation if it is to be obtained? Seek it as an object of the greatest value? For instance, as the sick man will seek for health — as the poor man will seek a fortune — as a prisoner will seek for liberty — or as a condemned malefactor will seek a pardon? If you really feel that you are lost — then you heartily desire salvation; if you heartily desire salvation — then you are quite willing to be saved in God’s way; and if you are willing to be saved in God’s way — then you will seek salvation with all your heart and soul.

If this is not the case, it is folly for you to ask the question, and it will only be a waste of time, so far as you are concerned, to reply to it. But if you are such a character, the answer to the inquiry is ready: You Can Be Saved. The Lord Jesus Christ came into the world on purpose to save you. He had you in his eye when he came. All that he did, and all that he suffered, was for you. On your account . . .
he obeyed the holy law:
he endured the curse of God:
he overcame the prince of darkness:
he made an infinite atonement for sin:
he triumphed over death and the grave:
and he ascended to the right hand of the Father, to present his precious blood and make intercession. To you, he is presented in the everlasting gospel — to be your wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. To you, the Holy Spirit is promised — to be your teacher, leader, sanctifier, and comforter. For you, the wells of salvation were opened, and with joy you may come and draw water therefrom.

You can not only be saved — but be saved with ease — with certainty — and God can be glorified forever in saving you. You can be saved at this moment — and be saved for evermore. It is not a mere possibility, or a probability — it is a certainty. If God can save — and who dare doubt his power — then he will save you. But I imagine I hear you say, "I have been such a great sinner!" He is able to save to the uttermost.

"But my sins are so numerous, and they rise up between God and my soul!" He says, I, even I, am he who blots out your sins as a cloud, and your iniquities as a thick cloud.

"But my sins are of such an aggravated nature — of so deep a dye!" If they were a thousand fold more than they are, if they were ten thousand times more aggravated — still, "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin." His infinite atonement gave full satisfaction to divine justice; and it is an honor to God, and an act of justice too — to pardon every confessing sinner. No matter who you are. No matter where you are. No matter what you are. If you are a lost sinner, if you desire to be saved, if you are willing to be saved in God’s way — then there is salvation for you, and full salvation too.

Seek it, and you must find it.

Seek it, and you will obtain it.

Seek it, and you shall enjoy it.

Seek it, and it is your portion forever.

Yes, you can be saved. You can be saved now. You can be saved freely. You can be saved beyond a doubt. To doubt it, is to doubt the veracity of God. To doubt it, Is to question the faithfulness of Jesus. To doubt it, is to doubt the testimony of the Holy Spirit.

Salvation is for sinners. For vile, worthless, Hell deserving sinners. Salvation is a gift, a free gift. Salvation is for whoever will, and for you, reader, if you are willing to receive it. It is not by works of righteousness. It is not by fasts and penances. It is by grace — by grace alone. The Father devised the plan. The Son did all that law and justice required. The Holy Spirit has revealed it in the Word, and he applies it to the soul. The gospel preacher proclaims it, and urges men to accept it.

Faith embraces and appropriates it. The beautiful ornament of a holy life spring from it. And the unfading glories of eternity are the consummation of it.

But, reader, suppose that you should not he saved! Suppose that you should be lost forever! Suppose that in Hell, you should lift up your eyes being in torments! Where will you cast the blame? Will you be able to say, that salvation was impossible? Impossible! What! Is there not virtue in the blood of Jesus? Is not the fountain open? Are not the invitations of the gospel free? Have you not been assured that you would be welcome, heartily welcome at the throne of grace?

God will say, "You destroyed yourself!" The Savior will say, "You would not come unto me — that you might have life."

Ministers will say, "You put it away from you, and judged yourself unworthy of everlasting life."

Angels will say, "We witnessed your carelessness, and the preference yon gave to the things of time."

Devils will say, "You believed us in preference to God; you followed us instead of the Savior."

All, all will say, "Your damnation is just!"

Repent therefore, and turn from your evil ways, so iniquity shall not be your ruin. You can be saved, for Christ is able. You may be saved, for Christ is willing. If you are not saved — your destruction will be of yourself; and you will have yourself to blame forever!