Bill was driving down the dark streets of the little town one summer night. He was a very unhappy man. He had taken to drink because he and his wife quarreled. Then they quarreled because he drank. He was ashamed to think of the times he had struck her and of the cruel, harsh words he had used while he was drunk. Finally she could bear no more, and had turned him out of their home. He was friendless, homeless, and hopeless. Tonight he planned to drive to the Bay and end it all by taking his own life.
Deep in his own troubled thoughts, he missed the right turn to the Bay, and had to turn around. As he drove back, he passed a church, still lighted though it was now eleven P. M. On an impulse, he parked the car and went inside. Up in the rafters a man was working. Maybe, Bill thought, he knew something that could help him. Bill called up to him, "I need help! I wonder if I could talk with you.”
The man in the rafters quickly climbed down. He was a trim, dark man, with a warm friendly smile that advertised to everyone he met that the love of God was in his heart. He was indeed the servant of Christ who preached in this church, and had been happily occupied till this late hour repairing the ceiling of the building.
As he sat down with Bill, he opened his Bible to John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16). Encouraged by the minister's kindliness, Bill told him of his desperate plight, and that for him, life was no longer worth living. He had planned in his heart to end it all tonight.
The preacher had no need to tell Bill he was a sinner. Bill knew he had brought all this sorrow on himself. The preacher did not need to tell Bill he needed Someone more powerful than himself to help him. Bill had been fighting the drinking habit for a long time. He knew that it was beyond him. He was licked.
Gently the preacher read to Bill the precious old words, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).
Could he make Bill understand it? God loved Bill. In spite of all his misery and sin, God loved him. He handed the Bible over to Bill, and pointed to the verse. "Here, you read it yourself. Only, where it says `world,' and 'whosoever,' put your own name in.”
The precious Book felt strange in Bill's hands, but the warmth of the man beside him gave him confidence. Bill began to read hesitantly: "For... God... so... loved... B-B-Bill, that He gave His only begotten Son, that B-Bill believing in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Could it be? It seemed too wonderful! Love for such as he! Did God really love Bill? His wife couldn't put up with him any longer! Could God still love him?
It was past midnight now, but the preacher was in no hurry. The destiny of a precious soul hung in the balance. It was his deepest joy to win souls to Christ. Finally toward one o'clock Bill grasped the mighty import of the message. Down on his knees, Bill, the drunkard, received Christ into his heart.
Bill left the church in the wee small hours of that morning "a new creature in Christ Jesus." Gone was his desire for drink. Gone was the pride and quarrelsome spirit which had caused his family such unhappiness.
Bill wasted little time in going to his wife with his good news. Words were scarcely needed for she could see the change. Her husband took his place as head of a happy family, and through him and his consistent Christian life they have all been brought to the Lord Jesus.