It was a kind word spoken to me by a young man who sat by my side in a street car that first broke down my prejudice, and caused me to go and hear the gospel. I had often been spoken “at” before that day, and told in a harsh, indifferent kind of way that I was “going to hell.” It was true, no doubt, but the heartless way it was told me, hardened me against it.
My fellow-traveler had a kind, courteous manner, and when he handed me a tract, he simply said,
“It’s a grand thing to have Jesus Christ as a Friend and Saviour. None are so truly happy as those who know and follow Him.”
I felt I could not argue against, or scoff at that young man. He seemed to feel every word he uttered, and there was a strange power about his words that I shall never forget. I determined to know what the secret of such a Christianity was, and I found it was Christ dwelling in the heart. I know Him now as mine, and I long to serve Him in the same spirit as that dear young man, whose quiet effort on the car won my heart. There are lots of opportunities to speak such a word for Jesus.
Young believer, what are you doing for Christ? Are you spreading the savor of His saving name, or will you go to heaven, alone, satisfied that you will be there yourself, without an effort for the salvation of others?
And, you, who are as yet silent Christians, what do you say about all this? Have you not a word for Jesus?
“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Rom. 1:16).