GEORGE was the son of a highly respectable and wealthy gentleman, and was beloved for his genial and kindly ways. On one occasion his father invited a gentleman named Mr. P., who was preaching the Gospel, to make his house his home while in the city.
The family attended the meetings, George among the others. Although outwardly respectable there were bad companions whom he occasionally associated with, who led him far astray at times. Mr. P. had heard of his conduct through a friend, although he had hidden his wild pranks from his family.
After a stirring and powerful Gospel address one evening, by which George was greatly moved, arriving at home, Mr. P, was alone with George in the parlor when the following conversation took place: George said, “Mr. P., my father does not believe just exactly as you do about some things.”
“O, and what is it your father does not agree with me about?”
“Well, he says that a sinner must repent and turn over a new leaf before he can become a Christian. You make it too easy, and tell us a person can become a Christian in a moment by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Well, George, the Bible must be our only guide in such important matters, as it is God’s Word to us. You have real the story of the prodigal in the 15th of Luke?” — “O, yes, often, at Sunday School and since.”
“When the prodigal appeared before his father in his rags, did he tell him he must clean up, get better clothes, etc., before he could receive him or allow him in the house?”
“O, no, he kissed him and put new clothes on him instead of his rags, and joyfully received him.”
“Then, George, that is an illustration how God receives sinners today. The moment they own their true condition, as the prodigal did, which is true repentance, taking sides with God against ourselves, owning what He says about us as true, He willingly, lovingly, receives them, makes them His children, and forgives all their sins. He kissed the prodigal in his rags.”
“But, Mr. P., you don’t mean to tell me that if a regular Baltimore black-leg, just confessed his sins to God, without ever turning over a new leaf and trying to be better, God would forgive him just at once?”
“Yes, George, and God knows all about you, and your sinful life. He knows all about your past life, and nova just where you are sitting, if you in your heart own to God your sins, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, Who so loved you as to die for you and shed His precious blood to put away your sins, He will save you on the spot—just now.”
The tears had been trickling down George’s cheeks as he listened, and throwing back his head he exclaimed from an overflowing heart, “WHAT A GOD!”
His afterlife declared the reality of his having believed the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as the years go by and he learns more and more of the grace and love of God he is able more intelligently and with a greater depth of feeling to say, “What a God!”
Reader, do you know God? “This is life eternal to know Thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.”
ML-02/15/1920