Traveling on a country road on a hot summer day, I came upon a blacksmith shop by the wayside. Being thirsty, I asked for a drink of water, and it was readily given. Before resuming my journey I handed the blacksmith and each of his men a gospel booklet. As I did so I remarked: "As that glass of cool spring water is to a thirsty traveler, so the water of life is to a thirsty soul." I added: "Twenty years ago when I was a boy living in this village I drank from that life-giving spring, and I have enjoyed the possession of eternal life, the free gift of God, ever since.”
Shaking his head the blacksmith said in a serious tone, "None of us can say that till the great day.”
His workmen and several farm servants concurred in this. The only one who said nothing was the apprentice blacksmith lad. He listened to the conversation, as I thought with uncommon interest. His face brightened as I gave my testimony to the present joy of possessing salvation.
"Are you waiting for 'the great day' too, my boy?" I asked, as I was passing him.
"No, sir," was the quick reply; "'the great day' is already past for me. I was converted six months ago in the village over there.”
"Praise God," I said as I grasped his hand. "We are brothers in Christ.”
God has His saved ones, His own, all along the way. Are you one of them?
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).