John was an old Scotchman, a well-respected church member who had brought up a nice family and who saw to it that they went to Sunday school.
When John was a boy, his old grandfather would retire to the barn where he would pray for all the grandchildren by name. Young John had heard his own name among the others. At the time John made fun of it. He would get up near the loft overhead and throw things down on the old man, as the children made sport of him and his prayers.
But through all the years John had not forgotten. Now he was on his deathbed at the age of seventy-three His daughter, Janet, who herself’ had been brought into peace with God through the work of Christ, had doubts as to whether her father was really saved and ready for heaven, She felt anxious about him and desired so much to get some word from him that he was really a child of God. She would speak to him about his soul, but he resented the thought that he was not fit to appear before God, and would say, “What do you want me to do? I’ve always been square, I’ve wronged nobody, and what more do you want me to do?” He was so well satisfied with himself and the life that he had lived that he was indignant at having any one question his fitness to meet God.
Then Janet learned that there was a meeting of Christians not far away and she sent a message to them requesting that they would pray for her dying father, that God would give some token of assurance that her father was trusting in the blood of Jesus alone for his salvation. The last day of the meeting, a Mr. Dodds sent the word to Janet that they had great liberty in prayer and that he felt God had answered and that there was blessing in store for her father.
That evening she sat down feeling somewhat discouraged. Then she began to read to him a little tract written by Chas. Stanley in which occurred the words: “To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Rom. 4:55But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5). There seemed to be no response until she came to these words, when suddenly the old man called out, “Stop, woman! Does it say that in the Bible?”
“Yes, Father, it is in the Bible,” Janet replied.
The old man said, “Show it to me in my own Bible; give me my glasses, and put my finger on the very place, so I can read it for myself.”
So she showed him the verse, and he read it over and over again, as if to be sure that he got the real meaning of what God was saying to him.
Then he asked, “Does that mean that I, an old man who has done nothing for God, but has lived for himself and can do nothing now, should be received and his faith counted for righteousness?”
“Yes, Father;” Janet replied, and referred him to other scriptures. But this one more than any other seemed to impress its truth upon his soul. Then he said, “Thank God, I am converted now, and my grandfather’s prayers are answered.”
Janet left him for the night, his face beaming with gladness.
To the astonishment of all, he lived three months after this; and to everyone who came into the house he spoke of the need of being born again, and not trusting to their own works. He told them he had been trusting to his own good works, but that he had none, that he was saved only by grace: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2:8, 98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9).
John had been well acquainted with the Bible, but it was a new book to him now. He greatly enjoyed it, and now saw many things in a new light. When the end came he was full of joy. His last words were a message to his daughter Christie who, three years before, had left for America. When getting on the ship she had said to him, “Father, promise me you will meet me in heaven.” He did not forget her parting words, and now when dying in peace, he said, “Tell Christie I’ll meet her in heaven.”
Thus passed away old John, a witness to the blessed truth that “To him who worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” By grace, and by grace alone, through faith, God saves and blesses sinners. He is “just and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus.”
COME to the Saviour, make no delay;
Here in His Word He’s shown us the way;
Here in our midst He’s standing to-day,
Tenderly saying, “Come".
Think once again, He’s with us to-day;
Heed now His blest command and obey;
Hear now His accents tenderly say,
“Will you, dear children, come?”
ML-12/25/1966