The door of the book store opened slowly and a shabbily dressed man entered. He had been looking with deep interest at the window display where many copies of the Scriptures and books relating to them were arranged. He walked directly to the rear of the store where the shopkeeper sat at his desk, and said: "I live in Denton, but I was told that here in this city is a place where poor people may obtain a Bible free. Is this it?”
"What do you want with a Bible?" asked the bookseller.
"I want to read it," quietly replied the man. "I have owned only a New Testament before, and now I want a whole Bible.”
"Do you pray for God's help when you read it?" Thus the proprietor questioned the man. "Do you realize it is the Word of God, and that you need the Holy Spirit to lead you to a right understanding of it?”
The man discerned that the bookseller was interested in his soul, and he hastened to assure him that he had not read his New Testament in vain by saying: "Sir, I have been a professor of religion for years.”
"Ah, but that does not necessarily mean that you are a child of God," insisted the storekeeper. "I am anxious to know if you are saved?”
"Well, I hope so," was the hesitating reply; "but you know none of us can be sure of that while here." "Are you sure of judgment?”
"Oh, yes; I am sure of that!" And the man began to look very earnest.
"Well, then I ask you," continued his questioner, "on which side of you is the judgment—before or behind?”
Quickly he replied: "It is before me, of course, for the judgment is only at the end of the world. That hasn't come yet.”
"How do you expect to escape it?”
"Well, I am trying earnestly to live a Christian life. I am doing what good I can in my poor way, and hoping in that way to be found worthy to have eternal life.”
"Now, let me tell you something," said the bookseller. "I also believe in judgment at the end of the world. No, it has not come yet; but I can also tell you that judgment is behind me! I am sure of it for Hebrews 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27) says: 'It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.'
"If I waited for judgment at the 'great white throne' I would be forever condemned—eternally lost. Then in that same Book I read that Christ died for sinners. I saw that it was for my very sins that Jesus had suffered God's judgment upon the cross. He, 'the Just' had suffered 'for the unjust'—for me. Besides, He was no more on the cross, nor in the grave, but at God's right hand up there in the glory. By the sacrifice of Himself I was forever free, if I accepted Him as my Substitute.
With what joy I can say: 'Thank God! Judgment is past for me since Jesus has passed through it in my stead!'”
"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 [judgment]; 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).
The man's eyes now shone with joy. Taking hold of the bookseller's arm with both hands he said earnestly: "I see it! He bore my judgment too.”
He had found a new treasure, and the proprietor of the store was happy in the knowledge that the "whole" Bible he gave him had new value to one who was indeed past judgment.
Death and judgment are behind us,
Grace and glory are before;
All the billows rolled o'er Jesus,
There they spent their utmost power.
Jesus died, and we died with Him,
"Buried" in His grave we lay,
One with Him in resurrection,
Now "in Him" in heaven's bright day.