IT'S very sweet that Jesus died for me."
Such were the simple words which fell from the lips of one who was clearly nearing the end of a short but weary life.
Though only seventeen, he had hardened himself against the grace of God until he was on the very verge of eternity. Then the goodness of God brought him to repentance.
When I first called to see him, I found that he had been obliged to keep his bed for many months, and was suffering most excruciating pain.
Although the truth had been often put before him, he had no sense of his lost condition, and therefore thought little of the love of a Saviour-God.
I spoke to him about his soul, and he owned that he was, like all others, a sinner, and that the Lord Jesus Christ died for sinners, but the acknowledgment was made in such a way that there seemed no heart-work in it.
The Word of God was then read; such passages being turned to as described what he was before God, to show him that being in his sins he was "lost," "guilty," and "condemned already," because he had not believed on the name of the only-begotten Son of God.
Then the truth as to Christ, how He "Came into the world to save sinners"; "died for all"; and "gave Himself a ransom for all," was presented.
"If you were one of a number of starving people," I asked, "and some kind person provided an abundant meal, which all were told that they were most welcome to partake of, would your hunger be satisfied if you did not eat? So is it as to the salvation of your soul. You must receive Christ for your OWN Saviour." This was pressed upon him, and much more was added during my after visits.
Gradually the light shone in, and one evening he gladdened my heart by saying,
"It's very sweet that Jesus died for me."
Being asked by another Christian later on upon what he was resting his soul for eternity, he replied,
"On the precious blood of Christ."
Presume not, my reader, to think that God's longsuffering may linger thus over you, but flee even now to Christ. Look unto Him, and you will know the blessedness of salvation, and will have the privilege of living on earth for Him, whose precious blood was shed upon the tree for you.
Messages of God’s Love 3/13/1932