The kind black doctor was a busy man. Tired, he rested his head on the back of the seat and closed his eyes as his train sped across the English countryside. Two ladies sat facing him.
“Mabel, look at that African gentleman,” said one of them in a low voice. “He’s probably an African prince who has come to visit London.”
“Yes,” said Mabel. “He probably knows nothing about God
or heaven.”
The doctor opened his eyes. “Heaven?” he said.
“Yes,” said Mabel quickly. “That is the place where good people go when they die. It says so in
the Bible.”
“Bible?” said the doctor.
Mabel was glad of the opportunity to explain. “Yes, the Bible. That is God’s message to us, and it tells us that if we pray and go to church and keep the commandments, then when we die we will go to heaven where God lives.”
“Pardon me,” said the gentleman, “but I would like to see those words in the Bible. Could you show me?”
“I don’t have my Bible with me,” she answered. “Elizabeth, do you have yours?”
Elizabeth fumbled through her bag. “No,” she answered, “I’m afraid I don’t, but I know the words are there, like you said.”
The doctor reached into his pocket. “Is this the book?”
he asked.
“Yes, yes, that’s it,” they answered.
“Would you please show me the words you spoke of?”
Mabel turned the pages nervously. “I can’t really find it now, but I know it’s there. I could give you the address of our clergyman and he could help you.”
The doctor reached to take back his Bible and turned the pages to Titus 3:55Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5). He read out loud, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” Then he turned to Galatians 2:1616Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Galatians 2:16) and read, “By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
“Ladies,” he said politely, “I appreciate your effort to help me, but the Word of God does not agree with what you say. God’s Word tells me that I am a sinner and that I have broken God’s law. It tells me in 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) that ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.’ It tells me in 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7) that ‘the blood of Jesus Christ [God’s] Son [cleanses] us from all sin.’ If you do as you have said, you will stand before God with your sins still on you, because going to church and trying to keep the ten commandments cannot remove even one sin. Please read this book for yourselves and learn what the Lord Jesus has done for you.”
The ladies were silent.
None of us is smarter or wiser than God. Do you know how to be saved? Like the doctor shared with those ladies, the way is clear in the Bible, and it is not through our own works, but through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is available to us because of God’s great kindness, not because we deserve it.
You can search God’s Word for yourself and you will find out more of what God says regarding your sins and His salvation.
Memory Verse: “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Messages of God’s Love 11/23/2025