A Life of Doing Good - Marty's Story - 40 Pack

Our heart's longed to see Marty come to the cross of Jesus.
 
Marty’s Story
 
God has chosen you and me (we who are in Christ) to take the GOOD NEWS of a risen Savior to a world (Mathew 28:18-20) that is blinded to the truth of the salvation (2 Corinthians 4:4) that is found in Jesus Christ alone. As Acts 4:12 declares, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
 
While sitting at breakfast with a friend, I was introduced to his brother Martin. Marty, as he was called by friends, was tall, with a nice smile and a quiet personality. As we sat and talked, I learned that Marty was an unbeliever. His reasoning was that it was “unfair” for God to let good people (like those he worked with) go to Hell due to their unbelief in God’s Son, Jesus.
 
When we look into the Bible, we find these words, “As it is written, There is none righteous (right with God), no, not one” (Romans 3:10). And Romans 3:23 states, “For all have sinned, and come short (miss the mark) of the glory of God.” Therefore, that makes us all sinners in need of salvation, in need of a Savior.
Our answer to Marty's sin problem is found in our Creator, Jesus Christ! Romans 6:23 declares, “For the wages (price) of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Amen and Hallelujah!
 
I pondered on what Marty said: that it was “unfair” for the God of heaven and earth, the creator of mankind, to let a good person die and go to an eternity in a lake of fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels (Revelation 20:10). Perhaps Marty was thinking of the early days of his life when he served in the US Army as a medical doctor. It must have been at many times agonizing and heart wrenching, to see some of his buddies with their bodies torn and scattered on fields of blood and ruin. I'll have to tell you that it was hard for me to write, as I thought about what Marty went through and what he had to endure to carry that nice smile all day long while serving his country.
 
I then pondered a little more as I thought of the love of God for you and me. What kind of God do we serve that would sacrifice His son Jesus on a cruel cross, Calvary's cross, for a sinful world? Romans 5:8 states, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world (you and me, mankind), that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him (Jesus) should not perish, but have everlasting life.” How much love is “so”? It was enough for God's Son, Jesus, to take your place on Calvary.
 
Now back to Marty, on Monday's I meet with friends for breakfast, no, not at 6 a.am. Marty would come sit with us during breakfast. This continued for about three months. In the time that Marty sat with the guys, he would get a lot of the salvation story (the gospel) as well as being presented the plan of salvation on several occasions. Marty was not only a kind person, he was also a very good listener. My heart, as well as the other guys, longed to see him come to the cross of Jesus. It has been, in my experience, somewhat difficult to witness to a person like Marty, i.e. kind, gentle, and of good character. So, I had to trust in God's Word found in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is … not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
 
One day I received the news that Marty was hospitalized with a very serious illness and at death’s door. During his hospital stay, Marty had several friends and ministers present him with the plan of salvation. In his final hours on this earth, a minister from a local church presented the plan of salvation using the Romans road (see Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; and 10:9.) Martin was then asked if he would like to accept Christ as his Lord and Savior? Martin replied, “I already have!” Reaching for a tract at his bedside that his brother's wife had given him, Martin said, “I read this tract last night and I believe what it says.” Amen!
In John 6:44, Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
 
Hebrews 4:12 declares: “For the word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner (judge) of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
 
The Apostle Paul said, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase (made it so)” (1 Corinthians 3:6).
 
One of the lyrics of the song, “When He was on the cross, I was on His mind” (written by Ronald Michael Payne and Ronnie Hinson) says: “Though His eyes were on the crowd that day, He looked ahead in time, for when He was on the cross, I (including Marty, you, and me) was on His mind.”
 
Sleep well my dear friend, see you in the air (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). 
“What a wonderful Savior!” Amen.
 
YOU CAN HAVE A NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
ADMIT that you are a sinner.
Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short (missed the mark) of the glory of God.”
REALIZE the penalty of your sin.
Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
BELIEVE that Jesus Christ died to pay the price for your sins and rose from the dead.
Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
TRUST and RECEIVE Christ alone as your Savior.
Romans 10:9, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
 
WHAT’S NEXT?
Just as a newborn baby grows physically, in a similar way you can grow spiritually, by taking the following steps:
READ THE BIBLE – starting with the Gospel of John, read a chapter each day.
PRAYER – Spend time each day talking with God.
WORSHIP – Regularly attend a church that honors Jesus Christ and teaches you the Bible.
FELLOWSHIP – with Christians who will help you grow in faith.
WITNESS – Tell others what Jesus Christ means to you!