PAID IN FULL

Years ago I attended an evangelistic meeting and heard an illustration which has deeply impressed me through the years. This illustration is used again by Walter B Knight in the Gospel Herald. He wrote, "Dr. Howard A Kelly was a renowned physician and surgeon, and, withal, a devout practicing Christian. During the summer holidays when in medical school, Dr. Kelly sold books to help with expenses. Becoming thirsty, he stopped one day at a farmhouse for a glass of water. A girl came to the door. When he asked for a glass of water, she kindly said, "I will give you a glass of milk if you wish!" He drank the cool, refreshing milk heartily. "The years passed, Dr. Kelly graduated from medical shool, and became the chief surgeon in the John Hopkins Hospital. One day, a patient was admitted to the great hospital. She was from the rural area and was seriously ill. She was given special care, being placed in a private room with a private nurse. The skilled chief surgeon spared no effort to make the patient well. After undergoing surgery, she convalesced rapidly. "One day, she was told by the head nurse, 'Tomorrow you will go home!' Though her joy was great, it was somewhat lessened by the thought of the large bill she must owe the hospital and the surgeon. She asked for it. The nurse said, "I will bring it to you!" She brought the itemized bill. With a heavy heart, the patient began to read the different items from the top downward. She sighed. But as her eyes lowered, she saw the following notation at the bottom of the large bill: 'Paid in full with one glass of milk!' It was signed: Howard A Kelly, M.D." The greatest debt that anyone can owe is the debt of sin. When we look at the sins which we have committed through the years it is natural to ask, "How can I have the debt of my sins cancelled?" Then we stop and remember the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary and we are reminded that He paid our sin debt there and all that we have to do is accept what Christ has done on our behalf and we will have the debt of sin removed. Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. Would you like to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour now? Confess your sins, and ask Him to come into your heart. "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). [From: 52 Soul-stirring Illustrations, Billy Apostolon, Baker Book House,1974].