"I don't believe it!" Not every unbeliever is as bold in his unbelief as was Anthony Harrold—a tough, illiterate old army pensioner who called "a spade a spade." Along with other vices he was a hard drinker. As his ungodly behavior increased, his poor wife became greatly troubled and succeeded in persuading him to attend a gospel meeting. Although not a Christian herself, she recognized that "religion" could be helpful.
At the gospel meeting the Holy Spirit convicted Anthony of his sins and he saw himself lost and condemned before God.
John Lawson, an ex-sergeant in the Royal Artillery was an earnest Christian. He heard of Anthony's case and paid him a visit, hoping to lead him to Christ.
Opening his Bible, Lawson read slowly: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him..." Here he stopped, and looking Anthony straight in the eye, added: "And that means you." He then resumed reading: "should not perish, but have everlasting life." Here he again interjected, "And that means you."
Anthony was amazed. That God should love a drinking, swearing old sinner like him was quite beyond him; and that God should give His only begotten Son to die to save him from hell was even more unbelievable. Striking his big fist on the table, he shouted: "I don't believe it!"
Ignoring the violent interruption, Lawson again read the verse, and gazing at Anthony repeated: "And that means you." Again Anthony struck the table and shouted: "I don't believe it!"
Instead of chiding Anthony for impugning the Word of God, Lawson inquired how long he had been in the Army?
"Twenty-one years and fourteen days", he replied.
This time it was Lawson's turn to strike his fist on the table and declare: "I don't believe it!"
"Do you think I would tell you a lie?" retorted the old man. "It was twenty-one years and fourteen days." "I don't believe it!" reiterated Lawson.
"Wife, bring me the parchment," Anthony demanded; and the document was presented.
Lawson perused it and then asked Anthony if he believed it.
Anthony's answer was, that although he was unable to read, others had read it to him, and he believed what they told him.
Suddenly the scales dropped from the eyes of the old pensioner's heart, and the light of the glorious gospel of Christ streamed in. He exclaimed: "I see it all! I believe it! Thank God!"
Anthony Harrold became a new creature in Christ. The lion became a lamb. The bottle was abandoned. His home life was changed completely.
Afterward Anthony was used of God in the conversion of his wife and they loved to read the Bible together and talk of God's amazing grace.
May the reader too believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as he or she reads these lines. When you do, you will be able to say: "GOD LOVED; GOD GAVE; I BELIEVE; AND I'M SAVED."