AHINDU convert came to an American missionary and asked to be baptized. Now it happens sometimes that people ask to be baptized without being truly converted at all. They merely exchange the profession of one religion for that of another. But I am glad to tell you that this dear Hindu believer had been really “born again,” and washed from his sins in the precious blood of Christ.
The Lord Jesus has said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:33Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3). Again, “Except a man be born of water [the Word] and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:55Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5).
At his baptism our friend took the name of “Kai Das,” which means “servant of Christ,” and we shall see how well it suited him. It was his delight to serve his blessed Master and to go about his country preaching the glad tidings of the grace of God.
One evening he was riding his little pony through a dangerous part of the country when he was attacked by six highwaymen. They asked him for his money. He handed them all he had, which was scarcely five annas (about 15c), after which they stripped him of most of his clothing. Then one of them discovered his watch. What a lovely thing! They had never seen one before, and they asked Kai Das where he got it and what it was for.
After satisfying their curiosity, he quietly remarked, “The most precious thing I have you have not found yet.”
Can you guess what that was, dear young friends? The robbers couldn’t and they wondered where he kept it.
“Give it to us at once,” they demanded.
“Wait a bit first,” he replied, and to their amazement he struck up a hymn in their native language. What a sight to behold this poor captive, undisturbed in spirit, singing the Lord’s praises in the midst of these fierce men! It reminds us of Paul and Silas singing praises to God at midnight in the prison at Philippi (Acts 16). Though their sufferings were great, nevertheless they possessed that same “precious thing” which Kai Das spoke of, and that was the secret of their joy.
Well, when the hymn was finished, Kai Das went on to tell his captors of the blessed Saviour who left His Father’s home on high, and came down to this poor world to suffer and to die in the sinner’s stead. His love for them had made Him willing to undergo all that suffering that they might be saved and made fit for heaven. Would they all take their place as guilty sinners before Him? Then He would receive them, one and all. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).
In a word, Kai Das declared, Jesus was his precious treasure, and he longed that Jesus might be theirs too. The hearts of those robbers were touched; they restored the stolen goods and the leader invited Kai Das to his own house. There he was able to speak more about his Saviour. We hope that the good seed thus sown brought forth fruit, and that we shall meet some of those men in heaven one day soon.
Now, dear young reader, have you responded to the loving call of the Saviour? He waits, ready to receive you. Come now, without delay, and you too will then own that priceless treasure which none can ever take from you.
ML-02/09/1964