C.H. Spurgeon – Words of Warning for Daily Living

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April 27

How to Get Saving Faith
The Samaritans believed because of what the woman told them concerning Jesus.
Many of our beliefs arise out of the testimony of others. I believe that there is such a
country as Japan: I never saw it, and yet I believe that there is such a place because
others have been there. I believe I shall die: I have never died, but a great many
have done so whom I once knew, and I have a conviction that I shall die also; the
testimony of many convinces me of this fact. Listen, then, to those who tell you how
they were saved, how they were pardoned, how they have been changed in
character: if you will but listen you will find that somebody just like yourself has been
saved. If you have been a thief, you will find that a thief rejoiced to wash away his sin
in the fountain of Christ's blood. You that have been unchaste in life, you will find that
men who have fallen that way have been cleansed and changed. If you are in
despair, you have only to get among God's people, and inquire a little, and some who
have been equally in despair with yourself will tell you how He saved them. As you
listen to one after another of those who have tried the word of God, and proved it, the
divine Spirit will lead you to believe. Have you not heard of the African who was told
by the missionary that water sometimes became so hard that a man could walk on it?
He declared that he believed a great many things the missionary had told him; but he
never would believe that. When he came to England it came to pass that one frosty
day he saw the river frozen, but he would not venture on it. He knew that it was a
river, and he was certain that he would be drowned if he ventured upon it. He could
not be induced to walk the ice till his friend went upon it; then he was persuaded and
trusted himself where others had ventured. So, perhaps, while you see others
believe, and notice their joy and peace, you will yourself be gently led to believe. It is
one of God's ways of helping us to faith.