A Revelation
The answer to these questions came just as suddenly:
“Just at this point, the whole question of Gospel salvation opened to my mind in a manner most marvelous to me at the time. I think I then saw, as clearly as I ever have in my life, the reality and fullness of the atonement of Christ.
“I saw that his work was a finished work; and that instead of having, or needing, any righteousness of my own to recommend me to God, I had to submit myself to the righteousness of God through Christ.”
A New Understanding
Gospel salvation seemed to me to be an offer of something to be accepted. It was full and complete. All that was necessary on my part was to get my own consent to give up my sins and accept Christ.
A Decision
Without being distinctly aware of it, I had stopped in the street right where the inward voice seemed to arrest me. I cannot say how long I remained in that position.
However, after this distinct revelation had stood for some time before my mind, a question seemed to be put: “Will you accept it now, to-day?”
I replied, “Yes; I will accept it to-day, or I will die in the attempt.”
Into the Woods
North of the village lay a small forest where Charles would walk almost every day, provided the weather was fair. Instead of going to work, he headed away from the town to avoid the many curious onlookers. He went to the forest, where he could drop to his knees and pray as loudly as he wanted.
A Place of Prayer
Still afraid that someone might see him entering the woods, he sneaked along under a fence until he was out of town. Only then did he make his way into the trees.
He then went about a quarter of a mile into the forest, hiked over a small hill, and found a place where some trees had fallen together to form a partially covered enclosure. There, he decided, “I will give my heart to God, or I never will come down from there.”
READ ALSO: WILLIAM AND CATHERINE (PART 10)
A Struggle to Pray
This exact phrase had run through his mind again and again since he had left the fence and entered the woods. He climbed into the enclosure among the fallen trees, knelt, and set his heart to pray.
Still, the words did not come. He mumbled a little at a time, but his words felt heartless nonetheless. Each time he heard a rustle of leaves, he looked behind him, afraid that someone was watching.
Inside, he began to despair. He feared that he had somehow missed God’s grace and that it was too late for him. He felt foolish, self-conscious, and discouraged. Nevertheless, he remained determined to keep his vow: he would not leave that place unchanged.
A Breakthrough
Again, he heard a noise and looked to see whether someone had followed him. Suddenly, he recognized his pride. He was more afraid that someone might see him than he was that he wasn’t saved!
He said to himself, “What!…such a degraded sinner as I am, on my knees confessing my sins to the great and holy God; and ashamed to have any human being, and sinner like myself, find me on my knees endeavoring to make my peace with my offended God!”
Suddenly, a Scripture passage came to his mind:
“Then shall ye…go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. [Then] ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12-13).
Charles seized the message of these verses with all his inner strength. He cried out, “Lord, I take thee at thy word. Now thou knowest that I do search for thee with all my heart, and that I have come here to pray to thee; and thou hast promised to hear me.”
Charles’s Heart Opens
This finally allowed Charles to open his heart. As he did so, God filled it with promises from His Word. Charles accepted each promise personally, as if God had made it to him alone. He clung to them like a drowning man would cling to a branch or tree limb offered from the shore.
Soon, Charles found himself on his way back to town. He had no idea how long he had spent in the woods, when he had risen to his feet, or when he had begun walking toward his office.
He thought, “If I am ever converted, I will preach the Gospel.” He then realized that his despair for his soul had completely disappeared. He no longer felt any conviction of sin in his heart.
READ ALSO: CHRISTIAN OGBONI FRATERNITY (PART 2)
A New Peace
Still hesitant to believe that he had truly changed, Charles briefly wondered whether the Spirit of God had left him altogether. He feared that he had grieved the Holy Spirit by so boldly taking God at His Word. Yet, at the same time, he could not get over the peace that now filled his soul and mind.
When he returned to town, he was surprised to find that it was dinnertime. He went to eat but had no appetite, so he returned to the law office. Judge Wright had gone to dinner, so Charles took down his viola and began to play and sing hymns and sacred songs.
As soon as he began, tears came to his eyes. It was as if his heart had turned to liquid within him. Every word filled him with emotion until he finally put up his instrument and stopped singing.
Meeting Jesus Face-to-Face
That afternoon, the law office employees moved all the furniture and books from one office to another. They worked hard and spoke little.
Charles remained amazed by the peace within him. He also wondered why he could no longer feel the guilt or anxiety about his soul that had troubled him over the previous days and months.
When darkness finally fell and the office move was complete, Judge Wright bade Charles good night and went home. Charles described what happened at that moment:
TO BE CONTINUED…
Tale Tuesday 066
Date: 5th December, 2023
Title: : Charles Finney – The Father of Modern Revivalism(part 6)
Source: The Azusa Street Revival
Author: Roberts Liardon
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