The Password!

There was a certain man who SURVIVED the infamous DEATH MARCH of Bataan of WWII in 1942. Although a born-again believer in Christ before entering the Army, he wasn't much for living his faith. Later, He escaped from a prison ship to an island where he survived for several weeks in the bush before he saw some Americans on the other side and with JOY he burst out of the bushes and RACED toward them.

SUDDENLY a voice hollered: "HALT!"

He stopped with raised hands, and cried: "I'm an American! I'm an American! DON'T SHOOT!"

He could see two G.I.s, one kneeling, one standing, and heard the familiar sound of a rifle bolt chambering the bullet in readiness. (He looked like a Jap! He was short, and down to about 110 pounds.)

"GIMMEE THE PASSWORD, BUD!", said the sentry.

He replied: "I don't know the password. But look, my name is... my serial number is..."

"PASSWORD!"

Again answering: "My God, man, let me in...I've been a Jap prisoner. Listen, for God's sake don't kill me now. I got through two years of it; don't kill me now. If you only knew what I've been through!!"

"Sorry, bud", the sentry replied, "I got orders to shoot anybody from a General down that don't know the password. Gimmee the PASSWORD and I'll let ya in."

He stepped closer saying, "But, listen. I'm not a spy! I'm not a Jap. Look at me...!"

The sentry brought his rifle to bear and said: "Sorry, buddy. I got orders. GET READY TO DIE!"

"LET ME PRAY!", he cried, "If you're going to shoot me, let me at least pray first!"

And the sentry said, "Okay, Go on and pray. I'll give ya 10 seconds." (And he kept the rifle aimed right at him.)

That man knelt down with tears pouring down his cheeks, and prayed: "Father, they're going to kill me. I've done my best. I've tried to get back home, but You won't let me. And now I'm going to see You in a minute, and when I do, I don't want You to remember my sins!"

(The 10 seconds were up, but the sentry had lost his nerve and failed to fire at the kneeling man, and the one-man prayer meeting went on:)

"I've lived like the devil, Lord, and I deserve to go to Hell. But I'm Your child, and I'm trusting Your Son, and I have nothing good to say for myself. Lord, don't remember my good deeds any more than my bad ones. When I step into Your presence and You look on me, Lord, don't remember anything but THE BLOOD!!"

"That's the password", (the sentry lowered his rifle), "Come on in."

The Lord Jesus Christ, by HIS OWN BLOOD entered in once into the holy place, having obtained ETERNAL redemption for us. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." When God sees the blood, judgment will pass over the sinner.

Only the blood of Christ will allow you to pass into glory. Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised him again for your justification through faith in his blood.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. --Richard