I had been in the hospital for several weeks and there was a very ungodly man in the bed next to mine. Though he knew well that his life was rapidly passing away, he insisted that when he died he would be “buried like a dog.” He believed that there existed nothing beyond this life for him, and he only used the name of God in swearing.
One morning I was able to be out of bed for a little while. Seeing me up and partly dressed, he asked, “Will you go to the bookcase and get me some book or other?”
I said I would, if my injured legs would carry me that far. I asked him what kind of book he would like. His answer was, “A good old love story—a jolly old love tale.”
I wished I hadn’t asked him; it would have been better, perhaps, if I had made the choice, but I felt I could not go against my promise.
I managed to get as far as the bookcase. Then I looked up to the Lord for His guidance as to the book I should take back to the poor fellow. The moment I opened the bookcase door, John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) came to my mind.
“FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.”
I reached for a Bible that I found in the bookcase, and opening it at John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) I gave it to the man, fully expecting to have it thrown at my head. I knew the kind of man he was, for I had spoken to him of the Bible before.
He stared at me, dumbfounded. I shall never forget his expression when at length he exclaimed, “You are really a knockout!”
I told him that was “the truest love story” that had ever been written, or ever would be.
Within the hour I was ordered back into bed by the nurse. My part was done; God in His wonderful love had used me—one of His weakest ones, both spiritually and bodily—to give my bedridden neighbor “the true love story.” Now it remained for the Holy Spirit to complete the work.
For the next three weeks I was not well enough to be allowed out of bed again. During this time I was happy to see how eagerly my neighbor read the Bible whenever awake. Often when he fell asleep the Bible would be lying open on his chest or be still clasped in his hands. The nurse would remove it while he slept, but as soon as he awoke he would demand it back.
For another three weeks I was in a nursing home, during which time I heard no word to show if my friend had understood and accepted that true love of God.
Back at the hospital, I hurried to see my sick friend. His bed was occupied by another, and they told me the man I had known had died several days before. A nurse told me that he had died rejoicing in the One whose name, at one time, he had hated and cursed. True it is that the goodness of God draws men to repentance, and the “good old love story” of John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) still wins hearts and lives for Jesus.
If you have not received into your heart this “Love Story”—if you are still unprepared for eternity—go to God’s Word and read of Him who loved you and gave Himself for you. May the Holy Spirit bring home the old, old story with conviction to your heart and soul.
“God so loved the world,
that He gave His
only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish, but have
everlasting life.”