FBC Bay Minette
For the fourth time, Ed said, “No!” He wasn’t interested in accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
I left his hospital room with a heavy heart, because he wasn’t expected to live. With a background of high finance and white-collar crime and fresh out of prison, Ed had little or no understanding of the gospel. But I had been visiting him and for two weeks had been trying to persuade him that Jesus died for him on the cross and that He loved him as much as He loved anyone.
My heart grew heavier as I left the hospital. Suddenly I couldn’t stand the pressure anymore. I had to go back.
Nervously I entered his room, and he looked surprised to see me. I said, “Ed, I just had to come back. Wouldn’t you like to pray and ask Jesus to forgive your sins and come into your heart right now?”
He said, “Yes, I believe I would.” He bowed his head and prayed: “Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. I turn away from sin and I turn to you. Please forgive me of my sin and come into my heart. I want to be a Christian, and I commit my life to you right now. Thank you for forgiving me.”
The look of peace on his face told me that the Lord Jesus Christ had become real to him. I prayed with him and left. The next day, I went back to check on him. He told me that he was feeling wonderful and that for the first time in his life, he had peace.
I conducted Ed’s funeral a week later, and I was able to tell those gathered around his grave that with all my heart, I believed Ed was safe in the arms of Jesus.
What happened with Ed?
1. He heard the good news about Jesus dying for him.
2. He was convicted of his sin by the Holy Spirit and knew that he needed to be forgiven.
3. He reached a point where he was willing to reach out by faith and accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
4. He prayed and thanked the Lord for forgiving him and confessed his faith in Christ to others.
Want to know God? You can through faith in Jesus Christ. He loves you and wants you to know Him.
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