July 7, 2002
One night after a revival meeting in a large city ,a dangereous looking man approached the preacher and asked, "will you come with me tonight? I must talk with you."
"Gladly" answered the preacher. The man led the way down several side street and into an alley. He unlocked a door, ushered the preacher inside and the pulled out a revolver: " I wont harm you. I just want to ask you if you meant what you said in your sermon tonight, that the blood of Jesus christ cleanses us from all sin?"
The preacher replied , " of course I meant it. God says it in his word." Then the man said "I have killed four people with this revolver. There Is hope for a man like me? " " I will tell you again that if a man will confess and forsake his sins God has promised that he will forgive him and cleanse him from all sin".(1john1:9).
The man went on: " on the other side of this wall is my tavern. we sell liquor to any body. Many times I have taken the last kobo or cent from a man, letting his family go hungary. Next to the tavern is my gambling joint. There isn't an honest game in the place. A man recently committed suicide after losing every thing here. Is there any hope for a man like me? "
The preacher replied, "God means it when he says, 'the blood of Jesus christ cleanses us from all sin' " (1 john 1:7)."
One more question, and you can go. As you leave the alley, you'll pass my house. my wife is there with my eleven year old daughter. Thirteen years ago I met a beautiful girl in
the city and lied to her about my life. She married me; but when she found out the truth, it broke her heart. Since then, I have made life a "hell on earth" for her. I even started beating her. Recently, I also slapped my daughter and knocked her against a hot stove, burning her arm from shoulder to wrist. she is disfigured for life. Is there hope for a man like me?"
The preacher grabbed the wretched man, shook him and exclaimed, "Listen to me! No matter what you have done, God word stands: the blood of Jesus christ cleanses us from all sin'. Means you! "
The man said, "thank you so much. I had to be sure. I believe you . I will be at your meeting again tomorrow night." After the preacher left the man emptied the tavern and the gambling room. He then broke every bottle, barrel and mirror. He also smashed the gaming tables and wheels. He burned all the dice and cards in the fire place. All night long he destroyed all his implements of sin. It was morning when he walked up the stairs of his house and sat down exhausted.
On hearing him , his wife told the daughter to "go and tell daddy breakfast is ready". the girl walked slowly toward her father. Half afraid, she said daddy , mummy said breakfast was ready" The man smiled at and said , "Darling, daddy doesnt want breakfast". His daughter turned and ran into the kitchen shouting , mummy, daddy smiled at me and called me 'darling' and didnt shout at me!" her mother insisted : " I dont believe it ! go back and just tell your father breakfast is ready " her mother decided to follow her. as he heard them, approach, he smiled and
said " come closer " Trembling, his wife and daughter approached him.
He gently put his arms around the two he had so violently abuse before, and with tears - filled eyes assured them " you dont have to be afraid of me any more. God has given you a new husband and a new daddy to today".
At the meeting that night his wife and daughter also gave their hearts to christ. they too discovered that "the blood of jesus christ cleanses us from all sin" (1 john1:7).
Have you got the message? will you confess and forsake your sins right now and give your life to christ? ask God to forgive you. There is hope for one like you!
For more help, write or contact any Deeper Life Bible Church near you or email me garbater@hotmail.com
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