Posted on 08/06/2006 8:55:16 PM PDT by xzins
Just a few weeks ago a guy named *Steve Jones died. No, you probably don’t know Steve, and neither did I. But I think I would have liked to chat with him just for a bit before he passed away, because Steve’s story is pretty amazing. How do I know? Because I read about it in an e-mail I got from a good friend of mine named *Mark. He lives in a small town in ordinary America, but what he related to me is anything but small and ordinary. It’s a story that you should read too, because this is the kind of tale that will challenge, confront, and convict you all at the same time.
See if you agree…
God really lowered the boom on me last night, so this is kind of a confessional too. When I picked up yesterday's local paper I noticed that a guy named Steve Jones had died. Just a little background on Steve. He was one of the meanest most evil people I have ever known. He was so abusive to his wife that she ended up in a mental institution. If you asked anyone from my hometown if they knew Steve Jones you always got the same response... rolled eyes and a disgusted look. Just to give you an example, he was actually banned from many of the local businesses because he was so disgusting and belligerent. I could give you a number of things that Steve has done over the years that would totally blow your mind. When I read that he had died, my first thought was, "I bet there is a special place in hell for Steve." Then God did a flying elbow drop off the top rope on me. I had to go to my brother's house last night and drop off a couple things. Steve had lived just a couple blocks from his house. My brother asked if I had seen that Steve had died. He then went on to tell me that just days before his death, Steve had given his life to Christ. How in the world could this have happened? Well, my town has a great Godly man as Chief of Police named *Brice. As you can imagine, the police had spent quite a bit of time at Steve’s house over the years, and Brice always took the opportunity to talk with Steve about his need for Christ, but of course every time Steve would respond in a cursing rage. What is amazing is instead of Brice taking it personally; he looked at it as a seed being planted. I remember him saying that it was "just putting money in the bank for later use." Well the money in the bank finally paid off just a few days before Steve died. Steve had been admitted to the hospital full of cancer. So last week Brice and a friend of his drove up to the hospital and tried one more time to talk to him about his need for Christ. He responded yes and trusted Christ as his only hope of salvation. I cried when I got in my truck to drive home. God had really crushed my judgmental heart. I had been looking at Steve, thinking that he was going to really "get it" when he dies. After all he deserved it! Brice was looking at him as someone who really needed a Savior. I got home and opened my Bible to John 8 and read the words of Jesus. "Whoever doesn't have any sin, go ahead and throw your stone." (my paraphrase). My prayer that followed was simple. "God forgive me. Help me to see every person as someone who needs a Savior. I'm no better than Steve. Forgive me for thinking that I was better than him. That he deserved hell while I deserved heaven because compared to him, I am soooo good. Now I see that Steve and I are the same. Both sinners saved by your merciful gift of grace through Christ. Give me a heart to look past the crustiness of evil and see the soul that you created, and that you love, and pour out that love in me." Thanks for listening Greg, MarkHi Greg,
You’re welcome Mark. I was glad to listen, because you’ve reminded me of what God is all about…to seek and save the lost. Even someone as lost as Steve. Even someone as lost as me.
I’d comment further, but I think it’s time for me to go put some “money in the bank”…
How about you?
*names have been changed
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Greg Stier is the President and Founder of Dare 2 Share Ministries in Arvada, Colo., where he works with youth leaders and students, equipping them to be effective in sharing the gospel. For more information on Dare 2 Share Ministries, please visit www.dare2share.org. Find out how Dare 2 Share Ministries and Focus on the Family® are working together to capture the hearts of this generation of teenagers, visit www.capturetheirhearts.com.
Wow!
What no works?
We have a merciful God. When we hope the other person gets their just desserts we should pause . . . . .our just desserts is the same as theirs. We all deserve to die because we are all sinners. Thank God for the Blood of Jesus.
None to brag about anyway. :>)
I'd have been more impressed if he accepted a day before he found out about his cancer
You raise the question, "Can sick people be sincere?"
What do you think? Can they?
We've all got a terminal illness. We're all going to die.
Did you accept Christ before you knew you were going to die?
Wonderful post. Something we all need to be reminded of, again and again.
Some of the laborers are called early in the day. Some late in the afternoon. All receive the same wages.
Did Steve have any works? Perhaps simply his conversion was Steve's work.
good read
Good point.
"Some of the laborers are called early in the day. Some late in the afternoon. All receive the same wages."
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Well said.
"None to brag about anyway. :>)"
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The joy is in him not being lost for eternity.
Great Post!
A gentle reminder for us all.....
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