A well-known building contractor named Charles Boblitz lay dying in the University Hospital in Baltimore. A man for whom Boblitz had built a home asked A. S. Loizeaux to visit him. Of this visit, Mr. Loizeaux wrote the following touching account: I had learned from the surgeon that there was no hope for the man's life, so I prayed that God would save this precious soul so soon to pass into eternity.
I found Boblitz bright and intelligent, and told him that our mutual friend had asked me to call. Mr. Boblitz was an upright business man, a very likeable fellow, who won the friendship of all who knew him.
After our greeting I told Mr. Boblitz of an operation I had undergone in that same hospital, and that I had experienced no fear of death because I knew that the Lord Jesus had died for me, and I was ready to go and be with Him.
The following conversation then took place:
"Have you ever been saved, Mr. Boblitz?"
"No, sir."
"Have you read the Bible in your home?"
"No, sir."
"Do you think you need salvation?"
"Yes, sir."
"Do you wish to have your sins forgiven?" "Yes, I do."
"Then you are a sinner?"
"Yes."
There was no doubt about the man's sincerity.
There was no hesitation or qualification in his answers. His wife was sitting at one side of the bed and following every word.
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
The sick man listened eagerly to the news of God's matchless love for the ungodly: for sinners. He knew that it applied to him. Although a so-called good man as men say, he was without God, ungodly. And although better than many of his fellows, now that he allowed the Word of God to search him, he knew he was a sinner.
Again I asked the Lord for guidance in leading this wanderer to Himself, and I read the 15th chapter of Luke, that wonderful chapter where the Lord Jesus reveals the heart of God in seeking lost men. Boblitz followed every word, watching my face as I read.
The shepherd went after the lost sheep until he found it and when he found it, he laid it on his shoulders rejoicing. "Boblitz," I said, "if you repent now, and put your trust in Jesus, there will be joy in heaven over you."
Then we read of the woman, seeking the lost coin: taking her candle, and sweeping the house and searching carefully until she found it. "Likewise, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."
"Boblitz," I said, "if you yield to God's Holy Spirit now, and repent, there will be joy before God's angels over you."
There were tears in the sick man's eyes, showing that the gracious Spirit was even then seeking the lost soul.
We read the final matchless story of the lost boy, who left his father's home for the far country. He spent his days in sin, until he found the wretched emptiness of this world. He began to be in want, and no man gave unto him.
Then in his distress, he repented of his wicked ways, and arose and went to his father and said, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son." What a welcome he received! The father's kiss, the best robe, the ring, the shoes, and the feast in the father's home.
"Boblitz," I said, "if you repent just now, God the Father will receive you with rejoicing."
I closed the Bible, and prayed that the wanderer might come to the Father's arms of love.
As I ceased, Charles Boblitz turned to his wife and said:
"Come here, dear."
His wife laid her cheek on her husband's thin, white face. Her tears were dropping on his cheeks already wet with his own. Putting his arm around her he said: "I came to Jesus while the man was praying, and I want you to come, too."
Precious, divine love in a newborn soul! Before this believing soul had confessed his faith, he reached out after another to lead her to Jesus.
There was joy in heaven over a sinner that repented.
Boblitz lived about 6 weeks after his conversion, and gave a bright witness to his Savior. He rejoiced in sins forgiven and looked forward to being with his Lord in Heaven.
Over 300 attended the funeral, for Charles Boblitz had been a popular man. The above story of his conversion was told at the grave, and many tear-filled eyes witnessed to the Spirit's working in human hearts as they heard the story of God's grace.
Reader, will you not come as Boblitz did, to Jesus? Just trust Him with your precious soul. Tell Him, "I have sinned," and He will put His arms of love around you, and claim you as His own.
Come to Him now and there will be joy in Heaven over another sinner repenting.