As Easy As A-b-c-c

As Easy as A-b-c-c

Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.

Acts 2:21

Surprised at my uncle’s readiness to pray, I stared at him for a moment; then I put my gloved hand on his arm and began to pray:

“Lord, thank you for this dear uncle. Please be with him; let him feel your presence as he prays within his heart these words: ‘Lord, thank you for loving us so much that you sent your Son to die for our sins.’”

I paused to give him time to pray that within his mind.

“‘Lord, now I confess my sins and ask your forgiveness.’”

I waited for another moment, then said, “‘And I receive Jesus as Savior and Lord of my life. Amen.’”

We both opened our eyes, and I patted his arm.

Then he mouthed, “Thank you.”

I bent forward to kiss his forehead through my mask just as the nurse tapped on the window. My time was up.

“I love you,” I said as I walked backward toward the door.

That was the last time I saw him alive. He died the next afternoon. But, oh, how much easier it was to let him go, knowing his “breathin’ part” truly is in heaven.

That simple prayer was the first time I had led an adult to the Lord. Today, when I speak to audiences, I usually offer a more detailed invitation, but its message is still simple.

“Coming to the Lord is as easy as A-B-C-C,” I say. “First, A: Acknowledge you are a sinner and need God.

“B: Believe Jesus died for your sins. John 3:16 says, ‘God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.’

“C: Confess your sins. First John 1:9 says, ‘If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.’

“C: Commit to living for him.”

Of course, it’s important the individual gets proper discipleship for spiritual growth, but the ABCCs are a wonderful invitation into the Kingdom.

Truly, we live in a hurting world that desperately needs a smile, a friendly touch, a kind word. Yes, our encouragement can make a difference in the daily challenges we all face, but sharing our faith can make a difference for eternity. —SANDRA

Lord, coming to you truly is simple. So why are we compelled to make it complicated? Help me to hold out your invitation to those around me. And help me to keep it simple.

Looking at the wound of sin will never save anyone. What you must do is look at the remedy. —DWIGHT L. MOODY (1837–1899), AMERICAN EVANGELIST