The doctor was a busy man. That is why, as his train sped across the English countryside, he rested his head on the back of the seat and closed his eyes. Two ladies sat across from him, 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 is probably a poor heathen, and knows nothing about God or heaven.”
The black 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 black 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, just as you said.”
The doctor reached into his pocket. “Is this the book?” he asked.
“Yes, yes, that’s it,” they both 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 for his Bible and turned the pages, first 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 cleanseth us from all sin.’ If you try to do as you have said, you will stand before God with your sins still on you, for 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 are smarter or wiser than God. Please search God’s Word for yourself and find out what God says about your sins and His salvation.
Not long after this conversation the good black doctor caught a serious illness from one of his patients. He has gone to heaven where sinners go who have come to the Saviour of sinners and received everlasting life.
ML-02/06/1994