Part 21 (2/2)
I replied, ”Of course, as children of Adam we are, till conversion takes place; there can be no mistake about that! But when did I say that you were unconverted? Is it not your own conscience that tells you that?
When we preach to people as unconverted, those who are changed, and brought from death into life, knoell as possible that we do noton the Word, that it may reach others, as it once reached thee, for they knohat has passed between God and their souls, and are anxious for others to share the sa” She was silent; so I continued, ”May I ask you the question Are you converted? Can you tell me that you are?”
She replied, ”I do not knohat you mean”
”Well, then, why do you suppose that Iuncharitable or bad?”
”Because I know very well it is not a good thing to be unconverted
But,” she added, ”it see to put us all down for 'lost,' while you suppose yourself to be saved”
”You may know more about this some day, perhaps; but in the : Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?”
She replied indignantly, ”Of course I do Now, this is the very want of charity I co me such a question!”
She was one of the Rev --'s, (the confessor's) favourite devotees, and had been absolved by hi her if she believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, nant'
I said, ”Do not be angry with me, but what do you believe about Hi, of course! I believe the creed”
”Yes, I do not doubt that, for a moment But do you believe that Jesus died for you?”
”Why, yes, certainly: how could I do otherwise; He died for us all”
”That is not the point I mean, do you believe that He died; and that you have a personal interest in His death?”
She hesitated, and then looking at me said, ”Do you mean objectively, or subjectively?”
”May I ask what I aht me that, 'Christ died' is objective, and that 'Christ died for ood indeed,” I answered, ”I like that veryto know about subjective faith, and quite another thing to have it Noill come back to my question Do you believe that Christ died for you?”
”You evidentlythat I do not understand,” she said, in a perplexedat the crucifix on her table, I said, ”What does that remind you of?”
”Oh, I pray before that every day, and ask the Lord to take iven yet How can you ask for forgiveness, and have it at the same time?”
”Do you mean to say then,” she replied, with surprise, ”that you have no sins?”
”Yes, I mean to say that my sins were atoned for, once for all, on the cross; and that, believing this, I have peace and remission of sins My past sins are cast like a stone into the deep; and as to my daily sins of omission and commission, I do not take therace, where the risen and living Christ is nowintercession forfor her Presently she looked up and said, ”I do thank Hi foris an indication of living faith How can I believe that Jesus died for me, and not thank Him?”
”But I do thank Him, and it is very uncharitable of you to say, we do not thank Hiain, and I wondered whether I should ever bring her back!