His troops said he was a hard man-hard as woodpecker lips. But he needed to know he was loved.
From all appearances, he was dying. As this career non-commissioned officer lay on his hospital bed, I looked at him and said, “I know you want straight talk. Have you made peace with God?” “Chaplain, no I haven’t. How could I? I have done too many bad things.” “First Sergeant, you are not wrong about much, but you are way off on this one. God loves you unconditionally, regardless of what you have done.”
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NKJV).
I could tell I had his attention. I read John 3:16 and then said, “You see-God loves you. Will you place your faith in Him?” “Chaplain, I’m not long for this world. I would like to do that.” I led him in prayer to receive Jesus as his Savior. He died less than forty-eight hours later. This warrior knew he was loved. He knew he had peace with God.
The content of this article comes from “The Warrior’s Bible” (2014) and is copyrighted by Life Publishers International. Used with permission.
