Four of us sat, one on each side of a square table in a small parlor―three young men in soldiers' uniforms and myself. We were not there to shuffle cards or crack jokes, or even to discuss the topics of the day. We had much more serious business in hand.
These three young men had attended a gospel service the previous night, and there had been aroused within them a desire to hear more of the way of salvation, for they knew they were not right with God. Close friends as they were, each had been similarly affected; and when they discovered this at the close of the service, it made them all the more eager for an interview. And so we arranged to meet at a friend's house and talk things over.
As normal, worldly young men, they had many difficulties; these they freely confessed. They were all three fond of sports, and they wanted to know whether, if they yielded to Christ, they would get something that would please them more. I assured them that the Lord Jesus was brighter and better than the brightest and best that the world could give.
They were afraid too that if they became Christians they would have a hard time with their chums. They would be ridiculed and scorned, and would probably lose many a merry mate. I assured them that the best friend to have is JESUS, and that they would be worse than fools if they allowed the jeers of godless men to keep them away from Him whom they knew they needed the most.
There were a good many other objections; but all these, one by one, were answered. They owned candidly that they were sinful men, and at some time knew that they would have to meet God about their sins, but they were not ready. They went further and acknowledged that they wanted to be ready! They had talked the matter over, and had decided to ask me to help them.
Then I gladly told them of the Savior who died for sinners, and so for them; who shed His precious blood to cleanse away the sins of guilty men, and so to cleanse theirs' away. I reminded them that the Savior who died for them was now a living Savior, raised from the dead, and that He deserved and desired their trust in Him; and all that remained for them to do was to yield themselves to Him in simple faith.
The leader of the three was sitting opposite to me. He broke in upon my talk by saying, "What's the use of talking to us about believing in Christ? How can we believe in Him unless God's Holy Spirit makes us? I tell you, I can't believe.”
I replied: "I am afraid it is not a question of can't but won't. But suppose you could believe in Jesus. Will you suppose that you could for three minutes?”
"All right, I will," he said.
"Well, now, suppose you could believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. I ask you, WILL YOU HAVE THIS Savior TO BE YOUR Savior NOW?”
I looked directly into his eyes, and his friends eagerly watched his face: We waited for his answer. After a pause I repeated the question: "Will you have this Savior to be your Savior, tonight?”
The dear fellow's eyes filled with tears. He stretched his hand across the table, and took mine in a warm grip, saying, "I WILL.”
And with that decision every difficulty disappeared. His indecision departed. He was saved, and saw it so clearly that his friends were astonished. One of them also decided for Christ, but I could not be sure about the other. But this was plain to them all: that it was the "I will" on their part that was needed.
God has said, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. IF YE BE WILLING." Isa. 1:18, 1918Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: (Isaiah 1:18‑19).
What could be simpler? When a sinner really feels his need of the Savior, and is ready to say "I will" to Him to the Lord Jesus Christ the great transaction is forever done. He can say, "I am my Lord's and He is mine.”