My dear anxious friend,
I have read with a tender heart your plea for those who are looking for salvation, and I perceive in it the very stirrings of that divine work which the Holy Spirit alone can kindle. You point the seeking soul to Romans, to the confession of the mouth and the belief of the heart, and you wisely direct them to the study of the evangelists, especially the book of John. This is good counsel, for faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Yet methinks I hear from many a troubled spirit this cry: “I would believe, but my faith is so feeble! I would repent, but my heart is hard as the nether millstone. What shall I do to be saved?”
Come, then, let us reason together from the Scripture. You have quoted that blessed promise: “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Mark this, I beseech you, it is not “if thou shalt feel a certain measure of anguish,” nor “if thou shalt attain unto a certain height of ecstasy.” The warrant for thy faith is not the depth of thy repentance, but the command of the Almighty. The gospel is not a mere invitation, dangling like a bauble before thine eyes; it is a command from the throne of heaven. “Repent ye, and believe the gospel,” ring out with the same authority as “Thou shalt not steal.” What folly, then, for any sinner to stand questioning, “May I believe? Have I a right to trust Christ?” Thou art commanded to do it, therefore thou mayest do it. The infinite peril of the soul lies in neglect, not in presumption. How canst thou despise so great a salvation and expect to escape?
You counsel men to turn from their sins and obey Jesus. This is right, but take heed that thou dost not make repentance a legal preparatory work, as though thou must first cleanse thine own hands before thou canst grasp the Saviour’s wounded hand. True repentance is not a bitter penance wrought by the lash of conscience alone, but a sweet, melting grace that flows from the cross. It is the gift of God, “granted unto life.” Many mistake the matter, supposing repentance to be a transient agony at the commencement of the spiritual life, after which they may go on their way. But I tell thee, repentance is a lifelong companion of faith, a tender, weeping grace that makes us lean low on the bosom of God, and there find our highest joy. The most intense happiness I have ever known has not been when I have laughed, but when I have cried at my Saviour’s feet, feeling it so sweet to be so low that one could scarcely be lower, and yet not wish to rise.
But thou sayest, “I cannot feel this godly sorrow; I cannot stir my soul to anguish.” Ah, poor soul, dost thou think repentance consists in scalding tears and frantic outbursts? It is not so. The essence of repentance is a change of mind, a turning from sin to God. And what produces this? It is not the thunder of Sinai, but the still small voice of Calvary’s love. When the Holy Spirit illuminates the heart to see the dying Lamb of God, smitten for thy transgression, then the flinty rock begins to weep. Look, then, not to thy own heart for a fountain of sorrow, but look to Him whom thou hast pierced. If thou canst not weep for sin, look to Jesus who shed His blood for it. Faith and repentance are inseparable twins, thou shalt find both in the same glance at the Crucified One.
I beseech thee, flee from that common mischief which even the disciples fell into, unbelief. They had seen the tempest hushed and the dead raised, yet when He spoke of rising again, they doubted. Still today, among the quiet, humble people of God, we find this sin of sins: they question whether they are His, they sing, “Do I love the Lord or no?” O, let this be corrected! If the Scripture saith it, it is even so. The Word declares, “Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.” Wilt thou give the lie to the Almighty by thine unbelieving fears? God commands thee to believe on His Son; therefore, roll thyself upon Christ this very moment, without further delay. Thou art not to wait for frames and feelings, as men wait for the wind to blow. The Scripture is thy sure warrant. Cast thyself upon the promise, and let it be done unto thee according to thy faith.
To you who are looking for salvation, I say with all affectionate earnestness, look not to your looking, but look to Jesus. Cease from examining your repentance or measuring your faith, and look straight to the uplifted Saviour. As the poor Israelite, serpent-bitten and nigh unto death, looked to the brazen serpent and lived, so do you. There is life in a single glance. "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." The sun needs no torchlight to make it visible; it revealeth itself by its own shining. So Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, needs no preparatory light from thy feelings to recommend Him to thee. He is Himself the way, the truth, and the life.
Go, read the book of John, and as thou readest, pray the Holy Spirit to unveil thine eyes. There thou shalt see the Word made flesh, full of grace and truth. And when thou seest Him, believe and live. The confession with the mouth will follow as surely as fruit follows the living tree.
May the Lord, who granteth repentance unto life, grant it unto you this very hour. He is no respecter of persons, and His ear is not heavy that it cannot hear. Rejoice that He hath given you a heart to seek, and rest assured that He who began the good work will carry it to completion. Only believe, and thou shalt surely see the salvation of God.
Yours in the bonds of the gospel, for Christ’s sake.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
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