This short story reminds us that it is important to come to God while we are able. Tomorrow may be eternally too late!
Many years ago, an American preacher held a revival-type meeting in a mining town in England. Clyde, a big muscled coal miner, was deeply burdened over his ways of drunkenness, gambling, and brawling. As the meeting closed, he walked up to the preacher. "Reverend, I know I am a sinner and am afraid of God's mighty hand of judgment. How can I find peace with God and peace with myself?"
The preacher opened before him the scriptures and showed him the way of salvation. He patiently explained that Christ came into the world, seeking to save that which is lost. He explained how Christ gave his life as a ransom for us. He explained that Christ's death on the cross paid for the sin of the world; and how all we need to do to be saved is to come to him, believing in Christ's finished work on the cross.
Clyde was so burdened with his sins that he could not see the light. As the hours passed, the preacher urged him to turn from self and, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
Clyde did not find peace. When the clock struck eleven, the preacher suggested that Clyde go home and return the following evening and then make peace with God.
Clyde replied, "No, I will not leave! It must be settled tonight or never!"
They stayed together, talking and praying as the hours passed. As the clock struck three, the light of the glorious gospel was shown upon the miner. He understood and believed the glorious fact that the work of Christ on the cross took away his sin and brought him peace and joy. Standing, Clyde shouted, "It's all settled now! The Lord Jesus Christ is mine!" With tears in his eyes, he thanked the minister who had been so patient with him.
A few hours later, Clyde went to his work in the mine, happy and rejoicing because he was a saved man. The day's work had barely begun when the rumble of crashing stone was heard. The roof of the mine had caved in. Many men were buried beneath it.
The alarm blew, and hundreds of townsfolk ceased their work and joined the rescue efforts to save the trapped miners. They dug out the earth, stone, and debris throughout the day to rescue the buried men. After a fearful time, they reached Clyde; He was barely alive, and in the torchlight, it was clear he would soon be gone. Clyde's lips moved, and the men leaned close to hear his last words as life ebbed from him.
"Thank God, it was settled last night."
The preacher opened before him the scriptures and showed him the way of salvation. He patiently explained that Christ came into the world, seeking to save that which is lost. He explained how Christ gave his life as a ransom for us. He explained that Christ's death on the cross paid for the sin of the world; and how all we need to do to be saved is to come to him, believing in Christ's finished work on the cross.
Clyde was so burdened with his sins that he could not see the light. As the hours passed, the preacher urged him to turn from self and, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
Clyde did not find peace. When the clock struck eleven, the preacher suggested that Clyde go home and return the following evening and then make peace with God.
Clyde replied, "No, I will not leave! It must be settled tonight or never!"
They stayed together, talking and praying as the hours passed. As the clock struck three, the light of the glorious gospel was shown upon the miner. He understood and believed the glorious fact that the work of Christ on the cross took away his sin and brought him peace and joy. Standing, Clyde shouted, "It's all settled now! The Lord Jesus Christ is mine!" With tears in his eyes, he thanked the minister who had been so patient with him.
A few hours later, Clyde went to his work in the mine, happy and rejoicing because he was a saved man. The day's work had barely begun when the rumble of crashing stone was heard. The roof of the mine had caved in. Many men were buried beneath it.
The alarm blew, and hundreds of townsfolk ceased their work and joined the rescue efforts to save the trapped miners. They dug out the earth, stone, and debris throughout the day to rescue the buried men. After a fearful time, they reached Clyde; He was barely alive, and in the torchlight, it was clear he would soon be gone. Clyde's lips moved, and the men leaned close to hear his last words as life ebbed from him.
"Thank God, it was settled last night."
(c) Adron Dozat 1/22/16
