"WHEN AN ATHEIST GOT SAVED"
When An Atheist God Saved
By Pastor Brad Davis
Is it possible for an atheist, who
says, "there is no God", to be convinced there is
a God and converted through the power of God's Son Jesus Christ. The
answer is
YES! Jesus Christ is the answer to the problems of every human
being on planet
Earth regardless of color, race, creed, or need.
I want to relate to you, our readers, a true story that is a great
example of the truth
I have just shared.
Early one Monday morning, a few months ago, I received a phone call
from a young
lady who occasionally attended our church. With a broken voice and
through tears, she
explained that she and her husband desperately needed to talk to me. I
asked what the
problem was, and she responded that her husband needs to find the Lord.
"He is in the
worst condition I have ever seen," she continued, "and he desperately
needs to talk to
you."
I agreed to meet with them later that morning at the church. Upon
their arrival, she
introduced me to her husband. He was 6 ft. tall and well over 200 lbs.
He had a thick
head of hair and he was wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt.
We shook hands and he said, "My name is Jim (name changed) but most
people
call me Bubba. You can call me Bubba." He continued, "I don't know why I
am here
talking with a preacher, but something is going on inside of me that's
crazy!"
I encouraged him to explain his feelings.
He began, "Preacher, I've never gone to church in my life. I never
believed in God
and I don't believe in God now. I've always said that if there was a
God, then I would
hate Him for the things that have happened in my life." He paused for a
moment as his
eyes filled with tears. Then with a broken voice he said. "But last
night something
happened in her (he slapped his chest) that made me believe, more than
ever, that there
was a God. Preacher, what is that going on inside of me?" I replied,
"Bubba, that God
whom you don't think exists, created you, and He created in you and
every human being,
a desire to know Him. That is what is happening in you now."
"That makes sense," he replied, "because it came for in here," and
he pointed to his
heart. "But I have a lot of questions," he continued. "Why is the world
like it is? If there
is a God, why doesn't He stop all these bad things that are happening?"
I picked up my Bible and said, "Bubba, if you will permit me the
time, I will answer
all your questions from God's Word." He said, "sure, go ahead."
So I began in Genesis and explained the greatness of God's creation
and His greatest
creation, mankind. I explained the entrance of sin into the world, its
origin with satan, and
how all "bad things" are the result of sin and satan.
I showed Bubba the failure of man and how death came into the human
family.
Carefully, I explained to him how God had always been faithful to
mankind, regardless
of man's failures in every circumstance or environment.
For more than an hour, I answered Bubba's questions from God's Word.
When we came
to the Gospels, and I explained that the greatest gift of God was Jesus
Christ, who came
to pay the sin debt for all men, Bubba's eyes filled with tears. He
said, "Preacher, I know
that you are telling me the truth. I feel it in here (pointing to his
heart). But I feel so guilty
and afraid. Preacher, I have never been afraid of anything, but I am
scared to death right
now! Why?"
I answered, "Buba, a Holy God has come into your presence and has
made you aware
of your sin and guilt. Also, the greatest battle that will ever take
place in your life is going
on inside of you, satan is fighting to keep you and the Holy Spirit is
fighting to win you to
God."
"Preacher, is there anything that I can do to get rid of this fear and
torment in my soul?"
"Yes, there is," I replied. "Surrender your heart and life to God by
believing on the Lord
Jesus Christ. His death on the cross, His burial, and His resurrection."
I took Bubba to
Romans 10:9, 10, 13 and explained these verses to him. Bubba said, "I've
never prayed in
my life, but if you will show me how, Preacher, I will do it."
"Bubba, I cannot pray your prayer for you," I replied, "but I will
pray with you." I slid
out of my chair onto my knees, and without prompting, Bubba slid onto
his knees beside me.
I prayed for God to open Bubba"s understanding, give him faith and break
his will. As I
finished praying, I noticed a puddle of tears had formed beneath the
bowed head of Bubba
as he began to pray.
"Oh Lord, I'm an awful sinner. I've committed every sin You can name
) he began
confessing many of them). But oh Lord, if it would be possible that You
could, would You
please save an old sinner like me. I believe You did all the things the
Preacher told me about,
so if You would, just please help me!"
There was silence for a moment, so I looked over at Bubba. He had
raised his head and
was sitting upright on his knees with a huge smile on his face. "Bubba,
what happened?" I
asked. "He must have done it, Preacher," he replied, because I have the
most peace in here
(he pointed to his heart), that I have ever felt in my life! What is
that?' he asked.
"That is not a "What" is that but a "Who," I replied. "That is the
God you never thought
existed who now lives in you personally."
"Greatest feeling I have ever had," he said and grabbed me in a
bear hug. Then he
hugged his wife. She said, "Pastor, I was also praying while you two
were praying and I have
given my life to the Lord as well."
After we all finished crying, shouting, and praising God, Bubba
said, "Preacher, I want a
Bible and all the information you have on what just happened to me. By
the way, Preacher,
you call call me Jim (name changed) now!"
"Likewise, I say unto you, there
is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one
sinner that repenteth. Luke 15:10.
This article was copied from the Antioch Baptist Church Periodical, "The
New Life"
Bro. Leonard Cassell--Editor
Bro. Clayton Thompson--Assistant Editor
Antioch Baptist Church
Pastor: Bro. Brad Davis
1016 Old Airport Road
Bristol, Va. 24201
276-669-4030