By Jeannette Paulson
Birth stories are big because the birth of a baby is momentous.
More momentous yet is the spiritual rebirth of our children. What obstacles stand in the way of their believing? I believe God gives us help with this glorious work. Can we excuse doing less for our children than Paul did for the Galatians when he addressed them as “my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!”
I cannot help but relate a fascinating incident where God enabled Lady Colquhoun to be an instrument in the rebirth of an old, despairing, dying man in her neighborhood. The man, John, was in bed in great pain — his face half eaten by cancer. When Lady Colquhoun tried to console him by suggesting that trials may prove a blessing, he said, ”There is no blessing for me….I am lost, undone, miserable here, and will be so, for ever.”
“I hope you are mistaken,” she answered. “Do you not know that there is a Savior for poor, lost, undone creatures?…He will in no wise cast out any who apply to Him for salvation?”
This man knew the gospel and did not have any particular sin pressing on his conscience unconfessed. In fact, he had lived a very careful Christian life. Yet he was sure than God had rejected him forever.
Lady Colquhoun visited him for over a year but the dark cloud did not lift. Finally she said, “John…you labour under an unfortunate delusion. It is necessary that I should examine you a little more closely. Are you willing to accept of a full and of a free salvation?” She explained again that this gift of salvation comes based only on the work of Christ and not on past or future works of ours. She then pressed him on whether he was holding onto some sin that he was unwilling to part with. For, she assured him, “Any obstacle must be on your side; for the Gospel offers are without limitation.”
John assured her, ” I would do anything, everything, to know that I am His, and He mine.”
To this Lady Colquhoun said, “Can you consent…to what is still harder to our proud natures, to trust in nothing that you ever can do, or ever have done, for justification in the sight of God; to let Christ have the undivided glory? His is a finished salvation; our part is to accept of it.”
John then said he thought he was under the influence of temptation because he could not hope.
Lady Colquhoun encouraged him to pray to God for strength against the evil one, assuring him that she would pray also, believing that the Sun of Righteousness would yet arise upon his soul.
“Never was any one thus interested for my salvation” said John.
Lady Colquhoun then replied, “Ah, John…there is One who has shown Himself infinitely more interested for your salvation.” Prayerfully she went on to recount Christ’s sufferings as proof of his interest. This argument broke the darkness at last and John broke into tears. He found hope and his last days were ones of “joy unspeakable and full of glory.”
May God grant us the persistence, discernment and hope in Christ of Lady Colquhoun for the salvation of sinners, beginning with our own children. If birth is momentous, rebirth is more so.
For fascinating real life discussions had by Ichabod Spencer for the conversion of sinners, see A Pastor’s Sketches Vol.1&2. Joel Beeke says “Spencer is a master at flushing sinners out of hiding and directing them to Jesus Christ for salvation through Spirit-worked, simple faith.”
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About Jeannette Paulson
It’s been interesting to follow these posts about Lady Colquhoun. She seems like a compassionate Christian lady and it’s good that her life hasn’t been completely lost to time. I’ve always enjoyed church history and learning about the lives of others in the church.