A poor derelict man from the Skid Row district wandered into the gospel mission. A young Christian present spoke to him of the needs of his soul.
“I don’t believe the Bible,” said the man. The young believer repeated one verse, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:33I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3).
He said again, “I told you I don’t believe the Bible.”
Again the young man quoted him, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
The drifter became angry. “You disgusting fellow,” he exclaimed, “What’s the use of telling me that?”
“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish,” returned the young Christian.
Flushed with anger, the man struck him in the face with his fist, knocking him down.
Nevertheless, the young believer quietly got on his feet again and said, “My friend, God loves you. Remember this: ‘Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.’ "
The next evening the man was back in the mission again before the service began. Said he to all those present: “I could not sleep last night. It seemed that all over the wall in my room I could read those words, ‘Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.’ I saw them on my pillow. When I got up there they were at the breakfast table. All day long I have seen them. I can’t get away from them. I know that except I repent, I shall perish. I have come back here to get right with God.”
The man was in earnest. A truly repentant sinner he came to Christ that night at the mission hall and went out a saved and happy man—no longer to tread the paths of sin and shame, but to love and live for Christ who had washed all his sins away and bought him with his precious blood.
ML-08/19/1979