ONE time when we were holding meetings in a farming community, Johnny S— was very attentive and regular in attendance. I wanted much to have a talk with him, to see what effect the Word was having on his soul. Johnny was a busy farmer’s boy, and to have much time with him I must follow him to the field.
I went one day and found him plowing corn. We talked as we walked up and down the field, Johnny driving the team and I holding the plow handles. I said:
“Johnny, there are three questions I want to ask you.” He said,
“All right, sir.”
“There is something that has come into this world, and ruined everybody! —What is it?”
“It is sin,” he answered.
“Now Johnny, there is one thing, and only one, in the whole universe of God, that can wash away sin, —what is that?”
“It is Blood.” Of course he meant the blood of Jesus.
“Our sins are here on earth, and the blood speaks in heaven. Now what can bring these two things together, and make the blood do its work on my soul? In other words, what must we have in order to get the benefit of that blood?” I asked.
“Faith” was Johnny’s answer.
Three little words, of one syllable each: the first tells of our ruin and need; the second, God’s remedy for it all; and the third, the mighty link that binds the other two together, and gives us peace with God.
We walked along the rows of corn for some time, in silence, and at last I ventured to ask another question, which I hope God will press upon the heart of every reader of these lines.
“Johnny, have you that faith?” Johnny’s immediate and cheering answer was:
“Yes, sir!”
All need to heed the mighty teaching of these three words, Sin, —The Blood,— Faith.
ML 07/30/1933