Hans lived in a big city in Europe. His parents loved the Lord, and they often told Hans about Jesus and of how He came down to earth and died on the cross for sinners. They told him that the Bible says, “all have sinned,” that “there is none righteous, no not one,” but “if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:99That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9).
When Hans was nine years old war broke out. Planes would fly over the city where Hans lived and drop bombs on the houses and the people. Hans soon learned to listen for the air-raid signals and to run for the bomb shelters as soon as he heard them go off. He knew that he might be hurt or even killed if he was not in a shelter when the bombs fell.
During one air-raid a bomb struck the house of Hans’ friend Frederick. When the raid was over, they found poor Frederick dead beneath the rubble. Hans helped carry Frederick’s body away. He thought, “If I had died instead of Frederick, I would not have gone to heaven because I don’t belong to the Lord.”
The war ended when Hans was fifteen years old and there were no more bombings. But Hans was still in danger. He was in danger of spending eternity in the lake of fire because he still had not listened to the warning in Luke 13:55I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:5) that says, “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
One day Hans went swimming. A girl who couldn’t swim got into deep water and started to sink. Hans, who was a good swimmer, went to save her, but in her fright she clutched him so tightly that they both began to sink together. Another man finally pulled them both to safety. Again Hans thought, “If I had drowned, I would have gone to hell because I don’t belong to Christ.” For awhile he was bothered by these thoughts, but his unsaved friends turned his mind off on other things.
One night Hans came home from a gospel meeting and told his mother that he did not like the speaker because of the funny faces he made while he was talking. His mother felt that the Lord was speaking to her son. She invited a Christian friend to their house. He talked to Hans about the love of the Lord for sinners and warned him of the judgment awaiting all who reject Him. He quoted John 3:1818He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18) that says, “He that believeth on Him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Hans’ heart and conscience were now touched. He felt what a sinner he was and how greatly he needed the Saviour. He asked the Lord Jesus for forgiveness and received Him by faith into his heart.
After that he went and told his friends what the Lord had done for him. He told them, too, that they needed to accept Christ as their Saviour.
ML-02/05/1978