October 12

Dost thou believe on the Son of God.—John 9:35.

How essential it is to solid peace of mind, that we possess sufficient evidences of our faith in the Lord Jesus. The points for our examination in this matter are two:—Is Christ the object of our faith? and is our faith in him genuine, living, saving faith? We cannot conceive of a more important question than “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” In answering this question, it may materially assist us, if we endeavour to call to mind the means and circumstances by which faith was produced in our hearts. There was a period in our history when we were entire strangers to Christ—when we knew him not, and consequently when we could not believe in him. Then, do we remember when the truth first arrested our attention, and made an impression on our hearts? Do we remember the conflicts in our souls between the principles of faith and unbelief? Do we remember when we were enabled truly and heartily to receive Christ into our hearts, and thus when we were inspired with hope of immortal glory? If we have believed in Jesus, then has condemnation and guilt been removed from our minds, and being justified, we have had peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. And this has also been connected with an entire change of mind and heart. We shall now see and hear differently, our eyes being opened, and our ears being unstopped. The conversation of our lips and the feelings of our hearts will be spiritual, and Jesus will have to do with all our thoughts. Our meditations on him will be sweet. If we have believed in Jesus, we shall be closely united to him, whereas formerly we were foreigners, and afar off. Have we these signs? If we have not these, we possess not the faith of his children.