It’s Time to Come to Jesus

The True-Life Story of Danny Gray

A family member and I were walking home, down a country road near Spartanburg, SC, when, suddenly, we heard the sound of tires on the pavement and a car approaching behind us. It was getting too close for comfort, and as it began swerving toward us, we couldn’t get of the way in time! The one walking near me narrowly escaped, but I was suddenly hit from behind by the wayward vehicle. Now, I was face down in the ditch not sure of the extent of my injuries. Miraculously, after being taken to the hospital and given a thorough examination, I was able to walk away with relatively few problems. I have, however, sustained a back injury my entire life. It is a constant reminder that life is short and that God has a purpose for me to fulfill. Had I died that day, which I surely could have, I was fully convinced that I was ready to enter eternity! This is so, because of a crucial decision I had made just a few years earlier.

My name is Danny Gray. I was nine years old when I made this decision in my Granny’s church near Spartanburg, SC. The preacher at the time was Pastor Ansel Smith. As a young boy, Granny (Owa Turner) took me to church regularly.

In that little country church, I heard the powerful message preached again and again, that I was a sinner, “There is no man that sinneth not…” (I Kings 8:46). “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The preacher clearly explained that, because of my sin, I was headed to judgment, “It is apppointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Then I was told that I was in need of a savior, and Jesus was the only one who qualified to be my Savior, because He died, was buried, and rose again “Christ came into the world to save sinners” (I Timothy 1:15). This is the Gospel or Good News, and my heart was touched by its truth on many occasions. The hearts of children are often affected as they hear the wonderful story of the Gospel, and mine was no exception!

It was on a Sunday morning, as Pastor Smith was preaching, that my heart was deeply convicted by his message. The fact of my sin was made clear in his message, and sin’s penalty of death in Hell was powerfully presented. “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15). The solution of faith in Christ was simply declared from the pulpit that day. “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already” (John 3:18). I knew I should have accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior right then. Instead, I said, “No,” to the Spirit of God. The Scripture warns of the danger of resisting the Holy Spirit and His Word. “To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7). I had no idea the great danger I was in.

Granny took us home after church, and the next several weeks I spent in turmoil. My heart was under deep conviction from God’s Spirit. He reproves “the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). I could not eat properly; I was miserable. I would be in my room weeping and did not know why. It was simple. The Holy Spirit was convincing me of my need for salvation, pointing out my sin, drawing me to the cross, and offering the solution, and I was resisting His call!

When I could not eat at the dinner table, my parents became agitated. They thought it was that I would not eat. In fact, it was that I could not eat! Conviction was deep and strong in my heart. I was afraid to drift into sleep, afraid that I would wake up in Hell! I was miserable!

Then one particular Sunday morning a few weeks later, Granny strongly urged me to get ready for church. Actually, she insisted, no, demanded that I go with her. My parents did not go to church, but Granny did, and I was going with her this Sunday. I was under so much conviction I could not sing the hymns. I was so convicted I could not listen to the Pastor’s message.

At invitation time I tried to slip to the restroom, but my feet and legs were not working. I could not move! As the Pastor gave the invitation, I raised my head. Our eyes met, and he said, “It is time for you to come to Jesus!” All of a sudden, my feet started moving toward the altar. My legs were working. My heart was pounding out of my chest! My pastor met me at the altar, and as a nine-year-old boy, I trusted Christ as my Savior. At that moment, my sins were gone! When I received the gift of eternal life by faith, I was ready for Heaven! This choice prepared me for eternity!

Dear friend, are you ready for eternity? Are you ready to meet the Lord? Without having received Jesus, you are not. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). I urge you today to trust Christ as your Savior, and you too can be fully convinced that you are ready for eternity! It is time for you to come to Jesus! Why not receive Him right now? If you will, just bow your heart before the Lord and call upon Him to save you. Trust in Jesus, believing He died and rose again from the grave.

You could pray something like this, “Dear Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner and am headed to Hell. I know that I don’t deserve your love, and am amazed that you would love me. I know you do love me, because you died on the cross and rose again to save me, and I believe this to be true. Please wash away my dirty heart, take away my sin, save me from Hell and give me a home in Heaven! Thank you, Jesus.”

If you just called upon Christ to save you, He did. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). There is rejoicing in Heaven right now because of your decision, and we want to rejoice with you, as well! Please contact us and let us know of your new life in Jesus Christ!

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Evangelist Dwight Smith
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Shelby, NC 28152