| Example or Savior |
| Nicodemus, came to the Lord one night and said, “We know that Thou art a teacher come from God” (John 3:2). He was looking to the Lord as a great teacher and example. But the Lord answered him to show that what he needed was not merely good teaching, but a new life. Twice He plainly stated. “Ye must be born again” (John 3:3, 7). The following account illustrates this need in a simple but powerful way: |
| After a service in Germantown, Pennsylvania, a stranger accosted the preacher and said, “I don’t like your preaching. I do not care for the cross. I think that instead of preaching the death of Christ, it would be far better to preach Jesus, the teacher and example.” |
| “Would you then be willing to follow Him if I preach Christ, the Example?” replied Dr. Stearns. |
| “I would. I will follow in His steps,” the stranger replied. |
| “Then,” said the preacher, “let us take the first step. ‘Who did no sin.’ Can you take this step?” |
| The stranger looked confused. “No,” he said. “I do sin, and I acknowledge it.” |
| “Well, then, your first need of Christ is not as an Example, but as a Savior. And this is every man’s need.” |
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