We sat on the ground with our automatic rifles across our laps. This was dangerous country, and we didn’t go anywhere without our rifles, not even to a little outdoor church service.
Captain Gunther was the chaplain, a dear Christian man who loved the Lord Jesus. He was one of God’s faithful servants during the Vietnam War who risked his own life by holding these little services for any soldiers who wanted to come. He couldn’t hold the services on a regular basis, so he sent an assistant around to tell us when he was planning to hold a service and at what time.
I attended the services as often as I could, not to hear the message Captain Gunther preached, but to get out of extra duty that we all disliked. However, I began to be concerned that I could lose my life, just as so many of our soldiers were.
I was nineteen years old, as were most of my buddies fighting beside me in the war. I knew I was a sinner, and I also knew that there was a good possibility that I might not come out of the war alive. That fear made me decide I had better get the matter of my sins settled with God, so I again attended one of the services, this time to listen closely to the chaplain’s message.
At the beginning of the service, Captain Gunther took an old cassette player out of a plastic bag and shook off the dust. He pushed the button, and scratchy organ music began to play. Then he passed out old, outdated programs from Bible talks that had been held during wartime in other countries.
These old programs told the wonderful story of God’s love for sinners. He read Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23) to us: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Then he read 1 Timothy 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): “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” and He explained that the Lord Jesus suffered and died for sinners on Calvary’s cross so we could be saved from our sins. That was the answer I needed!
After the service, Captain Gunther asked if anyone wanted to remain behind to ask the Lord Jesus Christ to be his Saviour. He would dismiss the others, and they would pick up their rifles and leave.
I was one of two soldiers who stayed behind, and right then and there I accepted the Lord Jesus as my very own Saviour, believing that His suffering on the cross was for my sins. I left that little service with peace in my heart, knowing that if I died in the war, I would go to be with my Saviour in heaven.
Boys and girls, you may not live in dangerous conditions like we soldiers did, but the message Chaplain Gunther preached that day is the very same one God wants you to hear and believe today. His loving message is for everyone. No matter how young you might be, you are a sinner, just as Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23) says. But our Lord Jesus loves you so much He went to the cross to take the punishment for your sins. “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:55And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (Revelation 1:5)).
Are you sorry for your sins? If you are, tell the Lord Jesus and believe that wonderful message that He died for you. He will wash you clean of every sin and give you everlasting life, just as He did for me. Then I’ll see you in heaven someday when Jesus takes us there.
ML-04/29/2012