"Brother Jay, I am at my wit's end as to the way to bring my sister to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. I love her too much to be content for her just to drift into hell. Will you come with me to try to show her God's way of salvation?"
This was the anguished plea of an earnest young Christian. Elmer Graham himself had not been long converted and was eager to tell others what great things the Lord had done for him. And just as gladly did brother Jay, a visiting evangelist, desire to be used of God in telling out the Good News.
So it was that the two Christians were soon in the Graham home. The sister, Margie, received them graciously; but when she perceived that her flow of "small talk" and other social accomplishments were not desired, she sought to excuse herself and leave them to themselves. Since this was certainly not their wish the evangelist came to the point immediately.
He opened the subject by saying: "Miss Margie, I am here to see you, and with a very definite purpose. My blessed God and Father, whose messenger I am, wants you to know of His great love for you.
"Down through the ages He saw you as one of His creatures, made by Him and for Him, but with a will of your own—a will capable of Saying NO to the Creator. It has been your pleasure and His sorrow that you refuse to believe on His dear Son.
"This holy, spotless Son loves you too, so much that He willingly gave Himself for you. On that shameful cross He was not only crucified, but in the darkest hours the world has ever known He, the sinless Son of God, bore sin's judgment. He was made to be SIN itself that we, believing and receiving Him and His mighty work of redemption, 'might be made the righteousness of God in Him.'
"Margie, you have heard many times this wonderful love story. It was God's great love for such as you and me that caused Him to 'buy us back' or redeem us by the sacrificial death of the dearest object of His heart. And it was that same beloved Son who loved us and gave Himself for us. How can you reject such love?"
While the preacher tenderly and reverently spoke of that marvelous love for lost sinners, one could have seen hardened unbelief settling over the features of the young lady.
As that last question was asked, she rose to her feet. The two gentlemen also arose and stood together facing her. Defiantly came her answer: "I'll not believe, unless. He does something especially to prove Himself to me."
Aghast at such a spirit of defiance, the evangelist retorted: "My dear young woman, when Christ on the cross said, 'It is finished,' I can assure you that the work was DONE. He nor God Himself would ever add one iota to the perfect accomplishment of their divine purpose—not for you, nor for any other poor earthly creature."
At this powerful pronouncement Margie's state of rebellion seemed to weaken. Almost limp, she sank back into her chair. Without a word she watched the two men depart. They too appeared to be "stricken dumb" by the unforeseen end of their visit; but, in truth, each was silently appealing to the God of all grace to melt the ice in that willful woman's heart.
A few days later the answer came. Margie had gone in tears, on account her miserable condition, to a Christian friend. Kneeling by her side, she besought this woman to present her case at the throne of grace for, Margie said, "I don't even know how to pray!"