TRUSTING THE SAVIOR

This sermon was given by George Müller at a conference of Christians held at the Victoria Rooms, Bristol, England November 7, 1865.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20, NIV)

How do we know that we are crucified with Christ, that we have died with Him, and that we are risen with Him? Perhaps some believers don’t even know how to reconcile this point. It is so important to have a clear understanding of it. It is not by a voice from heaven, not by some powerful impression given to us in a dream or otherwise. It is simply by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, trusting in Him for the salvation of our souls, that we confidently know we are in Him! With Him we were crucified, with Him we died, with Him we are raised again, and with Him we sit in heavenly places. We have simply to ask ourselves, “Do I trust in Jesus for my salvation? Do I know I am a guilty, wicked sinner, deserving nothing but judgment—but at the same time, trust in the Lord Jesus for the salvation of my soul? Yes, Jesus is my substitute! Jesus died in my place! God now sees me as united with Christ—my punishment was carried out in Him. It’s as if I hung on the cross with Him, for God accepted Him as my stand-in. I was buried with Christ, and I was raised with Him. And in Him, my Forerunner, I am already seated at God’s right hand in heaven. And just as surely as Jesus is there, so I will be also.” 

These are precious truths, not man's inventions. The Word of God speaks of them again and again. The letters to the Ephesians and Colossians—and many others—are full of these glorious truths! But what we need is for them to become growing realities to us. Not so much that we can speak with clearness about them, but that more and more we know their power in our hearts. Thus, we have to admit that we are wicked, guilty, hell-deserving sinners; and had not God, in the riches of His grace, given the Lord Jesus to die in our place, hell would be our portion for eternity. But it pleased God to give Jesus for me; and since I trust in the Lord Jesus for salvation, I shall not be punished because my blessed Substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ, was punished for me. And what’s next? My sins are forgiven. Not “they will be forgiven when I die.” Not “I will find out someday that they are forgiven.” No, I am SURE. They are forgiven now! By the grace of God, I am as certain that my sins are forgiven as I am certain that I am speaking to you. Not because I deserve it. I am a guilty, wicked, hell-deserving sinner! But I trust in the Lord Jesus for salvation, and God declares that all who put their trust in Him shall have forgiveness. 

“All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:43, NIV)

I do believe in Him. I put my trust in Him, and therefore my sins are forgiven. Now, let me press this point on you with all earnestness: It is vital that we have assurance of forgiveness and that we remain constant in that assurance. Because it is just this that makes heaven certain to us, that we know God has nothing against us. The knowledge and the enjoyment of the forgiveness of our sins will keep our hearts from drifting to this present world. 

To be heavenly-minded, really and truly heavenly-minded, we must have assurance of the forgiveness of our sins. And we know simply from the Word that those who put their trust in Jesus have forgiveness of sins. But this is not all. Through faith in Jesus, we are now the sons of God. We are not only reconciled because of our Substitute and Surety, knowing God accepts us, but we are also the children of God! And as children, we are the heirs of God; and as the heirs of God, we are co-heirs with Christ! Now this brings us to another point: If we are the children of God, if we are the heirs of God and co-heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ, then all who believe in the Lord Jesus constitute one family. They may be scattered all over the world, differ in ten thousand aspects of daily life, and in ten thousand things differ in their testimonies and walks with the Lord, and in numberless ways also differ in growth of knowledge and grace; nevertheless, as assuredly as they believe in the Lord Jesus for salvation, they are one heavenly family with us—they are brothers and sisters! We glorify God by living in such unity, and in heaven we shall be together. 

Throughout eternity, we shall be unspeakably happy and love one another perfectly and forever. But we are to glorify God by living out this love now, while on the earth, in weakness, in conflict, in struggle; now we are to be united together, now we are one family, the heavenly family. This is how we can bring glory to God. And to do this, we must always remember that we are crucified with Christ. What does this mean? That we deserve to be crucified, that we are sinners, wicked, guilty sinners—you, me, and everyone—all the members of the heavenly family, all sinners. And as sinners, we deserve nothing but hell. But so that we might escape the torments of hell, the blessed Lord Jesus Christ died in our place, became a curse that we might escape it. 

Where is boasting then? Who has ground for boasting? Perhaps one says, “Ah, but I have grown in greater knowledge and grace than others." But what does Paul say? “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord” (2 Corinthians 10:17, NIV). The child of God has no glory but in the cross of Christ. Therefore, if we boast, let it be that the blessed Lord Jesus died for us guilty, hell-deserving sinners. And if we have a little more light and a little more grace than some of our fellow believers, let us testify that it is by the grace of God we have it. Now, because we love one another, we may speak freely. Some believe that if we are of one mind about the foundational truths, we should agree to differ about minor points, so that brotherly love may not be hindered. But according to Philippians 3:15-16, I have a different opinion. 

All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. (NIV)

We should not agree to differ, but should desire and pray that we grow together in the knowledge of truth. We should remember that the day is coming when we will see eye to eye. But in the meantime, let’s act on the truth the Lord has already given to us. Let’s seek to always show gentleness, tenderness and patience towards those with different opinions, remembering that we are what we are by the grace of God, knowing what we know by the grace of God, and knowing that a man can receive nothing except what is given to him from God. Instead of agreeing to differ, let us agree to love one another because Christ first loved us! Though we are weak and imperfect, let us agree to walk together, having the same precious blood of Christ sanctifying us and adopting us into His family. 

Perhaps some here are not prepared for eternity. I cannot leave without sharing one thing with you, my fellow sinner. I know the condition you’re in, because I was once there myself. Perhaps you’re searching for happiness—but you won’t find it anywhere but Jesus. No matter how hard you look elsewhere, it won’t be found but in the crucified, risen and ascended Lord Jesus! Trust me as one who knows the Lord and the deep joys of being His disciple.

Many times if I had wanted, I could have gone back to the world. But these forty years of following Jesus have been unspeakably worthwhile and precious, that even if what the world had to offer was a thousand times greater than they say, the grace of God would help me see them for what they are, and I have no desire for them. I once looked for happiness in the world, but I never found it. Yet since walking with my worthy Lord, I have known blessed sweetness.

So I say to you, poor sinner: Seek Him! Put your trust in Him! Depend on Him for salvation! And know that your sins—numberless though they are—are forgiven in Him! Believe in Jesus, and you will be reconciled to the Father. And when the journey of this life is over, you will know the eternal satisfaction of Jesus as your portion.