MR. AND MRS. C. T. Studd were missionaries in China about 75 years ago. They lived in the central part of that land, preaching the gospel whenever they could. The Chinese people, however, did not listen to Mr. Studd, or if they did they did not believe in the story of God’s grace in saving sinners from hell. Many of those poor folks despised Mr. Studd and his wife, and even cursed them.
Five years passed. Then there was a change in some of the people there. They began to show some interest in hearing the gospel preached. On one occasion Mr. Studd held up his Bible for all to see, and said, “This book says that God is able to save the worst sinner that comes to Him through Christ Jesus. That means, my friends, that there is no hopeless case with God. He will forgive and forget all the sins you have committed if you come to Him for salvation.”
When the service was over, a Chinese man walked up to Mr. Studd, angrily shaking a finger in his face.
“You have been talking foolish words!” he said. “I have broken every law there is. I am addicted to opium. Your God cannot save me!”
“Oh, yes, He can!” the missionary replied confidently. “Come with me to my house.”
In the quiet of that home, Mr. Studd asked the Chinese man to read the Bible for himself. He was directed to certain chapters that tell in a special way of God’s wonderful love for lost sinners. Then he turned to Mr. Studd and said, “Yes, I believe your God can save even me.” The two men got down on their knees to pray. In his own way, the Chinese man spoke to God in prayer and accepted the Lord Jesus as His own Saviour. Simply by believing what God said, and by doing what God said, that man was saved forever.
The Chinese man went on his way rejoicing. A few weeks later he returned to visit Mr. Studd. The preacher did not need to ask his visitor about his salvation for he was bubbling with joy.
“What about your appetite for opium?” Mr. Studd asked.
“Oh, I don’t even think about opium anymore. The Lord took away that desire from me,” he replied. Then his face grew serious as he said, “I must return to my village and tell my people how God can set them free too.”
Having gone back, as soon as he could he began to tell of the love of God. Many people heard him and their souls were stirred. But Satan, the enemy of our souls, does not want the gospel preached. Indeed he may try to hinder you from hearing that God loves you.
In China, at that time, the leaders of the village, perhaps moved by Satan, decided to stop the Chinese Christian’s preaching. They sent officers to bring him to them. Then they cruelly beat him until blood streamed down his back.
Kind friends carried him to a hospital where he was cared for. When he had regained a measure of strength, he insisted on going back to preach even more about his wonderful Saviour. His friends protested, but he would not be stopped.
Again the village leaders decided to stop him, but seeing how frail he now was, they decided to put him in jail. Immediately, however, he preached the gospel through the bars of the window in his cell. People gathered outside to hear him.
Finally, in desperation, the officers decided to release him, for, they said, “He is having more effect in jail than when he was out.”
The Chinese Christian thanked the officers, and went right out to continue his service for the Lord Jesus. His great theme was that just as the Lord Jesus Christ had saved him, He is able and willing to save the very worst who come to Him.
Now it may be that you are not the worst sinner, but an honest, kind and gentle sinner. If you are that kind, you still need the Saviour. God makes no distinction between good and bad sinners. He saves them all and He can save you, for “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 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).
ML-05/24/1964