Only Believe!

James Smith, 1860
 

CHRISTIAN, only believe, and you will be happy. Faith will . . .
conquer your fears,
chase away your doubts,
and fill you with joy and peace.

Believe what Jesus IS to you — a present, powerful, never-changing Savior.

Believe what Jesus has DONE for you:
put away your sins,
provided his righteousness,
and reconciled you to God.

Believe what Jesus has SAID to you, that . . .
he will never leave you,
he will withhold no good thing from you, and
he will come again and receive you unto himself.

Believe what Jesus is NOW DOING for you, he is . . .
interceding at God's right hand,
carrying your cause as an Advocate against every foe,
thus preserving you unto his kingdom and glory.

Only exercise your faith on Jesus, in . . .
his glorious person,
finished work, and
constant sympathy —
and you will be happy.

But if you look . . .
into your own hearts, or
at your imperfect performances, or
at the irregularities of your life —
you will be sure to he cast down and troubled.

The less you look at self, and the more you look to Christ, the better.

He is . . .
your perfect Savior,
your unchangeable friend, and
your condescending brother.

For you, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. And for you, he is exalted far above all heavens, and has all things put under his feet.

Your life is to be a life of faith, and faith . . .
looks to Christ for all,
goes to Christ with all, and
depends on Christ through all.

Only believe, and so you will . . .
conquer Satan,
overcome the world, and
triumph in your dying hour.

Only believe, and you shall never taste of death, but only fall asleep in Jesus, to be awakened by his voice on the morning of the first resurrection; and rise to take possession of the new heavens and new earth wherein dwells righteousness.

Blessed Spirit, work faith, strong and lasting faith in our hearts, that so we may believe and be happy, believe and be diligent, believe and be victorious!

LOST SINNER, only believe, and you are saved. In your present state you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked! But believe in Jesus, and you will be blessed of God, and happy in your soul; the wealth of Deity will be made over to you; you will see wondrous things in God's word, and greater wonders still in Jesus; and you will be clothed with the garments of salvation, and be covered with the robe of righteousness.

You are lost — but only believe, and you are saved with an everlasting salvation. Believe that Jesus can save you, because he is almighty — believe that Jesus will save you, because he is Love. Cast your soul into the arms of Jesus, trust in the faithful word of Jesus, depend on the finished work of Jesus, and you are safe. No works, no sacraments, no ceremonies, no sufferings, no feelings, no services will do — have as many of these as you will; for without faith in Christ, you are lost. But have faith in Jesus, and . . .
however base your character,
however depraved your nature,
however aggravated your sins,
however miserable your condition

 — you are saved. "If you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall he saved!"

Only believe, and then you are saved — saved instantly, saved eternally.
Every sin is blotted out.
The entire work of Christ is placed to your account.
You are justified from all things.

To you the words of Jesus apply, "Truly, truly, I say unto you, He who hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

Only believe, and to you there is no condemnation. Only believe, and yours is everlasting life!