April 24

With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.— Romans 10:10.

HAS my confession of Christ a deeper origin than that of the lips? Does my faith go further than the understanding? Does it take in the real, earnest, sincere, and strong consent of the will, and the warm affections of the soul? Does my heart yield unfeigned assent to the gospel revelation concerning Christ as the only Saviour? And do I rest all my hopes for time and eternity on him, taking his righteousness as mine, and having my life in him?

Justifying faith is such a belief of the gospel through the power of God's Spirit, as leads us to come to Christ, to receive Christ, to trust in Christ, to obey Christ, to be united to Christ, and to commit the keeping of our souls to Christ, in the humble but strong confidence of his perfect ability and willingness to save us. It is not the product of mere human reason, though entirely consistent with it. It has its deep foundation in the heart.

A man of subtle reasoning asked

A peasant if he knew

What is the clearest evidence

That proves the gospel true.

The terms of disputative art

Had never reached his ear;

He laid his hand upon his heart,

And simply answered, "Here!"