Lay Hold On Jesus Christ

A selection from a letter by Robert Murray M’Cheyne to someone whom he did not know. He knew her cousin, who asked him to write her a letter encouraging her to believe in Christ. Andrew Bonar, who included several of M’Cheyne’s letters in his Memoir and Remains of M’Cheyne, wrote this heading: “To a Stranger. Intended to lead on one whose face was Zionward, but who was not fully decided.” What evangelistic zeal M’Cheyne possessed! This wasn’t a form letter; it was a person letter to someone he didn’t know yet desired to see them converted. The letter was written in July of 1840.

My dear friend, I do not even know your name; but your cousin has been telling me about your case, and wishes me to write you a line inviting you to lay hold on Jesus Christ, the only refuge for a perishing soul. You seem to have been thinking seriously of your soul for some time. Do remember the words of Peter (2 Pet. 1:10): ‘Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.’ Never rest till you can say what John says (1 John 5:19): ‘We know that we are of God.’ The world always loves to believe that it is impossible to know that we are converted. If you ask them, they will say, ‘I am not sure—I cannot tell;’ but the whole Bible declares we may receive, and know we have received, the forgiveness of sins (see Ps. 32:1; 1 John 2:12). Seek this blessedness—the joy of having forgiveness; it is sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. But where shall I seek it? In Jesus Christ. ‘God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son hath not life’ (1 John 5:11-12)…

Robert Murray M’Cheyne: Memoir and Remains, Andrew A. Bonar, first published in 1884, reprinted by the Banner of Truth, 1966, pp. 283-84.