The whistle blew in the small Indiana town. “Fire!” people were shouting, “Fire at Steve Cole’s house!” Men and women, boys and girls were running to watch the firemen. It seemed that everyone was there... except Steve. “Where is Steve?” A fireman opened the kitchen door, and there sat my Uncle Steve.
Uncle Steve was old and forgetful, and his mind sometimes got foggy and he could not think straight. This time he did not realize his house was burning and that he needed to get out.
Poor Uncle Steve isn’t the only one with that kind of problem. Lots of people do not realize that time is running out and that they need the Saviour. They think, “Maybe later I will think about those things.” But the Bible tells us, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2). Later would have been too late for Uncle Steve, and later may be too late for you if you are not yet saved from your sins.
Uncle Steve was brought out quickly, and the firemen tried to put out the fire, but the house burned to the ground.
Cousin Norman took Uncle Steve to his home. He told us that Uncle Steve was so dirty he almost didn’t know who he was. You see, Uncle Steve had no wife nor children, and no one had cared much about him. So Cousin Norman filled his bathtub with nice warm water and scrubbed him clean and then put clean clothes on him. Then he said, “Yes, you are my Uncle Steve!”
Since Uncle Steve couldn’t live in his old house anymore, Cousin Judy took him to live at her home. She kept him clean and gave him good food. So there were at least two people who cared for this poor old man. Someone else cared about Uncle Steve, too. Maybe you already know who He is. Uncle Steve had heard many times about the Lord Jesus and His love for sinners and His death on the cross. But we don’t know that Uncle Steve ever accepted the Lord Jesus as his very own Saviour.
Isn’t it sad? He was over 80 years old, and he did not know the Lord Jesus. I know many of you reading this story already know Him and love Him, and I am thankful for that. But for those of you who have not received Him, don’t wait another minute! Don’t just sit in your “burning house!” “Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:11Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1).
Cousin Norman loved the Lord Jesus and his sins are washed away in the blood of the Saviour. Cousin Norman washed the dirt off Uncle Steve’s body, but he could not wash even one sin stain from his heart. “None... can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.” Psalms 49:77None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (Psalm 49:7). Only the Lord Jesus can do that. Will you let Him do that for you right now?
ML-12/31/1989