MR. STANLEY was returning from a gospel meeting. His heart was filled with praise as he thought of the wonderful love that had met his need and provided a Saviour for him. He climbed aboard a bus with his Bible under his arm and took the last seat, for the bus was crowded.
Not everyone carries a Bible, even on Sundays, and so it was that a band of young men who noticed his Bible decided to tease him a bit. One by one they made joking and sarcastic remarks about the “preacher” and about his Bible. He made no answer to these remarks, and I rather imagine he was praying that the Lord might give him patience to bear the scorn and also to pass on a needed word to the careless young men.
Just as he rose to leave, one of the lads shouted, “Tell us, preacher, how far is it to heaven?”
The servant of God turned, and with a quiet dignity and a happy smile he replied, “It is only a step. Do you wish to take it now?”
This remark was greeted with laughter by all but one — the one who had asked the question. Somehow he didn’t feel like laughing. He felt rebuked at the quiet and happy answer, for he knew right well that he would have been very angry if he had been in the same place. In a very short time that same young man took that step. Yes, he knew he was a sinner, and he had sought to cover up his awakened conscience by mocking other Christians. But now the love of God touched his soul, and he bowed and accepted the Lord Jesus. He took the step and was soon able to confess fearlessly to the very ones who had been his companions the precious name of the Lord Jesus, his Saviour.
Messages of God’s Love 10/9/1955