Some years ago a cowboy from Arizona walked into the American Bible Society Depot in San Francisco. He was not the kind of man usually found in a Bible House, but a real old-time cowboy, with one eye shot out, one hand in his hip pocket, as though feeling his gun, his Stetson stuck on the back of his head. He looked as if he were ready to stage a hold-up.
"I want the Book of Mark," he said in a sharp, demanding voice to the one in charge. Then bringing his great fist down on the counter, he continued: "This is the Book that brought me to God four years ago. It was in one of the lowest lodging places in the city. This is my story: "For thirty years I was a cowboy in Arizona. One day I came to 'Frisco' for a 'blow out.' After a night of revelry, I awoke in one of the lowest lodging houses in this town and saw on the table in my room a little book. 'The Gospel of Mark' was the title. I was troubled and worried, wondering how it ever got into such a place, but I left it alone.
"The next day, following another night of carousing, I looked at the Book again and was seized with great conviction. I picked it up and went over to the Union Park Square, in front of St. Francis Hotel, and there on one of the benches in the park I began to read.
"I had never read the Bible before, and turned at random to the eleventh chapter and read of Jesus driving the thieves out of the Temple.
"That very day I had planned to commit a crime which, if discovered, would have sent me to San Quentin Penitentiary. 'There', said I, 'that is what I am, a gambler and a thief. Christ could drive out those thieves. He is a great Man all right. He is MY man!' And there on the park bench four years ago I gave my heart to Christ.
"After my conversion, God said to me, 'Get up and go to work.'
"I said, 'Yes, Lord, but where can I go?' I seemed to hear, 'Go to the Post Office.' I went and there found a letter offering me a government position. I took the job and am there today. This Book and this Book alone brought me to God.
"But the devil has not left me alone. Forty times a day he tempts me; but I tell him: 'Get thee behind me, Satan,' and he leaves me."
What a testimony to God's life-giving Word!
Reader, you may not have traveled the same dark road of sin as the cowboy; but you need the same Savior. The Bible says: "There is no difference: for all have sinned." Rom. 3:22, 2322Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:22‑23). Degrees of guilt there are, but all are sinners alike before God all— on their way to everlasting perdition.
Thank God, if there is no difference in our sinnership, grace makes no distinctions either. Jew and Gentile alike are bidden to call upon Him with the assurance that there is "no difference," The same Lord is rich unto all.
Have you called upon Him yet? Have you put in your claim for salvation?
END
"On Christ the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand."