I was staying for a short while in the little town of Douglas and was asked by a friend to visit a young fisherman who was dangerously ill. Having been shown into his room, I found lying upon the bed a young man about twenty-five whose emaciated body was apparently in the last stage of disease. He fixed his feverish gaze on me and said abruptly: "I believe in Jesus; I suppose you believe in Christ.”
Surprised at such ignorance in a place where the gospel was known to so many, I explained that these were two names of the same blessed Person—the Son of God. Further conversation revealed that he could not read, and never in his life had the gospel, in its divine simplicity, been put before him. He had been visited by some who had prayed with him, he said, and he had prayed for himself. "And I know," he continued, "that God will hear my prayers, and save my soul. I prayed for more breath last night, and He heard my prayers, and gave it to me.”
A blessed sign it is that God's Spirit is working when it can be said of one, as the Lord said of Saul of Tarsus: "Behold, he prayeth." But God's way of saving is by faith. Thus, in answer to prayer, He sent a messenger to this sick young man, as of old He had sent Ananias to Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:11,1211And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. (Acts 9:11‑12)).
This divine way of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus I endeavored to explain to the young fisherman, repeating to him several passages which set forth this gospel. When I read to him 1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15): "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief," he exclaimed, in terms of wonderment which I cannot forget, "Only think of that! Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners! Only think of that!”
I told him of the finished work of that One of whom he was so ignorant. He listened attentively, drinking in the truth. Soon he rested his soul for time and eternity on Him who is willing to save to the uttermost even you, my reader, if you will trust Him. Often since have I thought of his wondering words on hearing for the first time the simple gospel—"Only think of that!”
"Eye hath not "seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit." 1 Cor. 2:9, 109But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9‑10).