The White Rose

Good News – May 2014 – Grace & Truth Magazine

The White Rose

The young woman got up from a park bench and walked quickly toward the river. She looked desperate, so I approached her.

What I Said
“Excuse me,” I said. She looked around, her eyes filled with despair. “I am a preacher on my way to church. Would you come to a meeting tonight? I sense you are really troubled. You might find rest from One who is ready to be your friend.”

“I don’t want to go to your meeting! I don’t want your religion. Leave me alone!”

Earlier, someone had pinned a white rose to my lapel. I felt God wanted me to give it to her. “Please take this rose. Perhaps it will remind you that there are friends at the church who want to help you.”

“No!” she said quickly. Yet she took the rose. Mixed emotions brought tears to her eyes. As I left I again invited her to come.

When I finished speaking that evening this girl came forward from the back of the church and announced publicly, “I want to come to Jesus. Do you think He can save a sinner like me? I was going to end my life in the river today because I couldn’t go on.

“Then your preacher gave me this white rose. I did not want it; it reminded me of something I had lost. My mother gave me a rose like this when I left home, against her wishes. Fearing I would fall into a sinful lifestyle, she said she would pray daily that God would bring me home again – saved.

“This white rose brought me to my senses. The preacher said there was One who would help sinners. Will Jesus help me?”

What The Bible Says
It was not difficult to answer her question, because the Bible says to all who will listen:

• “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isa. 1:18 NKJV).
• “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).
• “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16).
• “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Mt. 9:13).
• “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 Jn. 1:7).

The young woman listened closely to these Bible verses. Then she confessed her sins and received Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. She became a new creation in Christ and said that her first desire was to go home to her mother.

Years have passed since her thoughts of suicide, but she is still rejoicing in Christ and is always happy to tell of His saving power in her life.

What Do You Say?
Do you ever feel like giving up? Do your sins get you down? Do you lack peace and purpose? Jesus Christ alone can give you peace in your heart, purpose in your life and a place with Him in heaven. Confess to Him that you are a sinner and accept His forgiveness and salvation. He will make you a new person! We can tell you more.

Author Unknown

This article is available in tract form from Grace & Truth.