Moody’s Declaration – Dwight Lyman Moody
A great many people say, “Mr. Moody, I would like to know whether I am a Christian or not. I would like to know if I am saved.” The longer I live the more I am convinced that it is one of the greatest privileges of a child of God to know — to be able to say, “I am saved.” The idea of walking through life without knowing this until we get to the great white throne is exploded. If the Bible don’t teach assurance it don’t teach justification by faith; if it don’t teach assurance it don’t teach redemption. The doctrine of assurance is as clear as any doctrine in the Bible.
How many people in the Tabernacle when I ask them if they are Christians, say, “Well, I hope so,” — in a sort of a hesitating way. Another class say, “I am trying to be.” This is a queer kind of testimony, my friends. I notice no man is willing to go into the inquiry room till he has got a step beyond that. That class of Christians don’t amount to much. The real Christian puts it, “I believe; I believe that my Redeemer liveth; I believe that if this building of flesh were destroyed, I have a building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” No hoping and trusting with them. It is, “I know.” Hope is assured to the Christian. It is a sure hope; it isn’t a doubting hope. Suppose a man asked me if my name was Moody, and I said, “Well, I hope so,” wouldn’t it sound rather strange? I hope it is;” or, “I’m trying to be Moody.” Now, if a man asks you if you are a Christian, you ought to be able to give a reason.
GOLD.
— There cannot be any peace where there is uncertainty.
— There is no knowledge like that of a man who knows he is saved, who can look up and see his “title clear to mansions in the skies.
— I believe hundreds of Christian people are being deceived by Satan, now on this point, that they have not got the assurance of salvation just because they are not willing to take God at His word.
— “But,” a man said to me, “no one has come back, and we don’t know what is in the future. It is all dark, and how can we be sure?” Thank God! Christ came down from heaven, and I would rather have Him coming as he does right from the bosom of the Father, — Now, I find a great many people who want some evidence that they have accepted the Son of God. My friends, if you want any evidence, take God’s word for it. You can’t find better evidence than that. You know that when the Angel Gabriel came down and to