Alfred Woodward was a Christian. I don’t mean that Alfred had “joined the church,” or started to say prayers, or had given up some of his bad habits, for these things don’t make a real Christian out of anyone.
But young Alfred had found himself to be a sinner in God’s sight and had accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. I admit there was a great change in his ways and in his talk, too, for he always spoke reverently and fearlessly about the Lord Jesus, his Saviour; but it wasn’t the change that saved him — it was the Lord Jesus Himself.
Alf and some other young Christians were traveling together and they stopped at a small town for dinner. Then he stepped into the local post office to mail a letter. What a sight! The place was filled with a haze of smoke, and men and boys loitered about arguing, chatting and telling stories. From every side he could hear the precious name of his Saviour taken in vain. It pained him, and he felt he must show his colors. Just at that moment, a young lad about fifteen eered, and began to chat in a loud voice with the postal clerk behind the wicket.
They talked of the weather and other things, and the lad used the precious name of Jesus Christ in every sentence.
When the boy turned to leave, Alf. was standing between him and the door so he could not pass.
“By the way,” he said, looking squarely into the boy’s eyes. “Who is the Person you talk so much about?”
“Me! I don’t know what you mean.”
“I mean who is this Jesus Christ that you speak of so much?” The boy gasped and started, —
“Don’t you know Him? You mean you don’t know who Jesus Christ is? Why He...”
Alf. waited but no more words came out. By now everyone in the Post Office was listening.
“Yes, I believe I do know Him. Is He the Son of God?”
“Sure, that’s right; that’s right.”
“Then excuse me, young lad. If He is the eternal Son of Almighty God, who came down from heaven and died on the cross for sinners; if He rose again from the dead; if He is now at God’s right hand and is coming again someday — if that’s who you mean, then you ought not to use His precious name the way you do.”
There was a silence — a long silence. Then Alf. spoke.
“Men, the Lord Jesus Christ died and shed His precious blood to wash away my sins. He is my Saviour, and He wants to be your Saviour, too. His Word says, ‘This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that 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 07/12/1953