The door of the bookstore opened slowly and a man entered. He had been interested in the window display where many copies of the Bible and books about the Word of God were arranged. He walked directly to the back of the store where the owner stood behind his counter and said, “I live in Denton, but I was told that here in this city is a place where poor people can get a free Bible. Is this the place?”
“What do you want with a Bible,” asked the bookseller.
“I want to read it,” quietly replied the man. “I have owned only a New Testament before, and now I want a whole Bible.”
“Do you pray for God’s help when you read it? Do you realize it is the Word of God, and that you need the Holy Spirit to lead you to a right understanding of it?”
The man saw that the bookseller was interested in his soul, and he assured him that he had not read his New Testament in vain, by saying, “Why, I have been a professor of religion for years.”
“But that does not necessarily mean that you are a child of God,” insisted the storekeeper. “I am anxious to know if you are saved?”
“Well, I hope so,” was the hesitating reply, “but you know none of us can be sure of that while here.”
“Are you sure of judgment?”
“Oh, yes, I am sure of that!” And the man began to look very earnest.
“Well, then I ask you,” continued his questioner, “on which side of you is the judgment - before or behind?”
Quickly he replied: “It is before me, of course, for the judgment is only at the end of the world. That hasn’t come yet.”
“How do you expect to escape it?”
“Well, I am trying hard to live a Christian life. I am doing what good I can in my poor way, and hoping in that way to be found worthy to have eternal life.”
“Now, let me tell you something,” said the bookseller. “I also believe in judgment at the end of the world, but I can also tell you that judgment is behind me! If I waited for judgment at the great white throne I would be forever condemned - eternally lost. In God’s Word I read that I was condemned already. He that believeth not is condemned already. Then in that same Book I read that Christ died for sinners. I saw that it was for my very sins that Jesus had suffered God’s judgment on the cross. He, the Just, had suffered for the unjust - me. By the sacrifice of Himself I was forever free, if I accepted Him as my substitute. Judgment is past for me since Jesus has passed through it in my place. How glad I am to say, ‘Thank God!’ ”
The man’s eyes were shining with joy. Taking hold of the bookseller’s arm with both hands he said earnestly, “I see it! He bore my judgment too!”
He had found a new treasure, and the bookseller was happy in the knowledge that the whole Bible he gave him had new value to one who was truly past judgment. v