JIM WAS sixteen, a high school student with a good academic and sports record. In the town where he lived he was known as a skillful skier with a number of trophies to his credit. He was young and like other young fellows thought he had a long life ahead. On this account he was not too concerned about his parents’ religion.
One day he complained to his father about a pain that was bothering him and it was decided they would go together to see the doctor. Jim was given a thorough medical examination.
In the weeks that followed his parents were to relive that moment of shock, when the doctor told them the grim news: “Jim has a terminal disease — little can be done, and it would be better not to tell him.” He was not told, and continued with his school work in what appeared to be good health.
One Sunday evening Jim accompanied his family to a gospel service. Immediately upon returning home he went to his room. Later, thinking all were asleep, he crept downstairs. Of course, his mother heard the gentle footsteps. Investigating, she found her once careless boy sitting under a lamp with an open Bible and a troubled face.
“Oh Mom,” he said, “I want to be saved.” No words could have been sweeter or more welcome to her ears.
Jim believed he was a sinner, guilty and without hope for eternity, but how could a sinner know he was saved?
As he read other familiar texts the light of the gospel dawned on him and he exclaimed, “God has said it! He cannot lie; I am saved!” The peace that “passeth all understanding” was now filling his heart.
About this time the doctor estimated Jim had six weeks to live and now Jim was told the truth about his illness. Only six weeks to live! How could anyone face such a prospect?
A gospel preacher in the town at this time visited him often, and remarked, “It was an experience I can never forget — a sixteen year old boy facing the reality of death with an indescribable peace filling his heart. He had a blessed assurance and a calm that could only be from God.”
Jim continued to speak of his Saviour and His death for him on the cross and he would get off his bed and kneel down to pray. At the end of a month he said, “These four weeks have been the best weeks of my life.” While his strength was ebbing away many of his classmates visited him. From him they heard the story of his conversion and the reason for his true peace.
One day a Christian nurse asked him, “Jim, are you glad you are saved?” His answer was “Thank God, Thank God!”
Later that same day Jim’s spirit passed peacefully Home to be with His Saviour. In the language of Scripture he was “absent from the body... present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:88We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)). Those who loved him could say, “We love thee well, but Jesus loves thee best...” Jim has joined the ransomed in heaven, to sing the praises of the Lamb of God. “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,... to Him be glory and dominion Forever and ever. Amen.” Rev. 1:5,65And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5‑6).
Dear reader, how would you face eternity? Ponder the question well.
Gospel Monthly
ML-03/26/1972