frankly. "But," he added, "if ever you are converted will you promise to let
me know?" The judge laughed cynically, and replied, "Oh, yes, I'll let you
know quick enough if I am ever converted!" Moody went his way, relying upon
prayer. That judge was converted, and within a year. He kept his promise and
told Moody just how it came about. "I began to grow very uneasy and
.miserable one night when my wife was at a prayer-meeting. I went to bed
before she came home. I could not sleep all that night. Getting up early the
next morning, I told my wife I should not need any breakfast, and went off
to my office. Telling the clerks they could take a holiday, I shut myself up
in my private room. But I became more and more wretched. Finally, I fell on
my knees and asked God to forgive me my sins, but I would not say 'for
Jesus' sake,' for I was Unitarian, and I did not believe in the atonement.
In an agony of mind I kept praying, 'O God, forgive me my sins,' but no
answer came. At last, in desperation, I cried, 'O God, for Christ's sake
forgive my sins.' Then I found peace at once."
That judge had no access to the presence of God until he sought it in
the name of Jesus Christ. When he came in Christ's name he was at once heard
and forgiven. Yes, to pray "in the name" of the Lord Jesus is to ask for
things which the blood of Christ has secured -- "purchased" -- for us. We
have "boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus" (Heb. x.
19). There is entrance by no other way.
But this is not all that those words "In my Name" mean.
(2) The most familiar illustration of coming "in the name" of Christ is
that of drawing money from a bank by means of a check. I can draw from my
bank account only up to the amount of my deposit there. In my own name, I
can go no farther. In the Bank of England I have no money whatsoever, and
can therefore draw nothing therefrom. But suppose a very wealthy man who has
a big account there gives me a blank check bearing his signature, and bids
me fill it in to any amount I choose. He is my friend. What shall I do?
Shall I just satisfy my present need, or shall I draw as much as I dare? I
shall certainly do nothing to offend my friend, or to lower myself in his
esteem.
Well, we are told by some that heaven is our bank. God is the Great
Banker, for "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and
cometh down from the Father" (James i. 17). We need a "check" wherewith to
"draw" upon this boundless store. The Lord Jesus gives us a blank check in
prayer. "Fill it in," says He, "to any amount; ask 'anything,' 'what ye
will,' and you shall have it. Present your check in My name, and your
request will be honored." Let me put this in the words of a well-known
evangelist of today. "That is what happens when I go to the bank of
heaven-when I go to God in prayer. I have nothing deposited there; I have no
credit there; and if I go in my own name I will get absolutely nothing. But
Jesus Christ has unlimited credit in heaven, and He has granted me the
privilege of going with His name on my checks; and when I thus go my prayers
will be honored to any extent. To pray, then, in the name of Christ is to
pray, not on the ground of my credit, but His."
This is all very delightful, and, in a sense, very true.
If the check were drawn on a Government account, or upon some wealthy
corporation, one might be tempted to get all one could. But remember we are
coming to a loving Father to Whom we owe all, and Whom we love with all our
heart, and to Whom we may come repeatedly. In cashing our checks at the bank
of heaven we desire chiefly His honor and His glory. We wish to do only that
which is pleasing in His sight. To cash some of our "checks" -- to answer
some of our prayers -- would only bring dishonor to His name, and discredit