HE THAT BELIEVETH by T. E. Bowen

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 16, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 33.

“HE THAT BELIEVETH.”

By T. E. Bowen

“AND as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:14, 15, 17.

This is a most comforting assurance. All who believe on the Son may have life. In looking unto the serpent in the wilderness was concentrated both a confession of sin and faith in the One to come who would be lifted up for sin. It was a turning away from the revolting sin of rebellion and murmuring which brought the fiery serpents among them. This was believing.

“That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish.” Here the sure promise is “that whosoever believeth,” shall have life. This does not mean, as commonly supposed, that at one time, ages ago, Jesus Christ came into the world. No salvation attaches to the acknowledging of that historical fact. Devils believe this much. They acknowledged Him to be the Son of God, yet this brought no life to them.

The record goes on to explain the true meaning of “believing”: “He that believeth on Him is not condemned.” Why is he not condemned? It is because he takes advantage of the light, brought to him in the life of Christ, acknowledging his own ways to be wrong, because they do not conform to this light, and then, renouncing these hidden things of darkness belonging to Satan’s kingdom, he follows on in the light of the life of Christ. This is believing on Christ. This course is the only course to ever be pursued, and it ends in everlasting life, always. To simply ignore light is to condemn ourselves. We are exhorted to walk in the light.

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” Verse 19. From the days of Adam light has been in our world. Since the days of Christ it has been shining in increased volume. Light is sent to give life. But it becomes condemnation if men, when they see it or know it can be had, rather than walk in it, continue in darkness. Had not light come, there would be no condemnation, but now is there no excuse. The responsibility for the loss of eternal life rests individually upon those who choose darkness, not upon the loving Father who sent the Light to save men. “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light lest his deeds should be discovered .”

To illustrate. Here is a room. All is confusion. There is dirt upon the floor, and dust upon the misplaced furniture. It is dark within. There are windows, but their conditions admit only faint rays. People live here. What would you think of the woman sitting in the midst of all this dirt, solacing herself with the thought that if she can only keep the light out nobody will see it? She knows that if the light is turned on, all the wretchedness of her surroundings will be discovered. Is she justified or condemned by such a course? This very course is condemnation.

How much more noble to come to the light! Let it shine into our souls to discover all the hidden uncleanness, and then let the Light—Jesus—cleanse us. “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” This is righteousness; this is life. This is believing on Christ. It crosses our nature, but our natural hearts can not be saved. New hearts are for all who choose the light, and walk in it.

Evil angels piled the rubbish into our souls. Angels of light stand ready to assist in removing it. Let us come to the Lord, and this great task—impossible for us—of being renewed, will He make easy, and we may know it is wrought in God. This is believing. This is life eternal.