The Smuggler Who Escaped Hell — E.A. Johnston

Gospel Tracts as a Means of Evangelism

When I was a teenager, my very first job was in a Bible bookstore, and it was there that I developed a love for gospel tracts. That Bible bookstore had racks and racks of good tracts, and I read every one of them over and over again.

I memorized them and still love to tell their stories today. I was just 14 years old at the time, but I saw the importance of a gospel tract ministry. Do you hand out tracts, friend? If not, why not? I keep tracts in my car and hand them out as often as I can as the Lord leads me.

I've given them to the homeless. I hand them out at gas stations. I give them to the police officers who pull me over for speeding. I admit I sometimes drive too fast. I do everything fast. I eat fast.

I walk fast. I talk fast, and I drive fast. I can't stand a slow driver. I go nuts when I get behind a Prius. But I like handing out gospel tracts, and I want to encourage you, friend, to go and do likewise.

Go get some favorite tracts this week and begin to hand them out. I'm going to read you a story that I might encourage you to go find you a favorite tract to hand out to lost sinners. This is one of my favorites about a smuggler who gets saved.

The Smuggler's Attempt to Escape Capture

Here now is a story. I was captain of a smuggling boat at dawn. We discovered a Coast Guard boat in the distance. The Coast Guard was still a long way off, and we soon saw her turning toward us. We couldn't possibly get away.

We all knew what would happen if we were caught. Not only would the boat and cargo be confiscated, but we would all be sent to prison. There was dead silence while we stared at each other in dismay. The Coast Guard was coming up fast behind us.

Suddenly, I thought of a way out. Hastily, we rigged a screen at the stern to hide our deck. Then I set the men in line to hand up the cargo and pitch it overboard. We worked fast. Nothing was heard but the splash of the cargo dropping into the sea.

The hold was empty and fast. We'd soon be finished. I saw the ship's boy was exhausted, so I sent him to see if the Coast Guard was very far off. In a minute he came rushing back, gasping, It won't sink!

I ran to the stern of the ship. The sun was just rising behind us, and there, in that long line of light, were the packages of cargo bobbing up and down in our wake. The first package in the line had just reached the oncoming Coast Guard boat.

Helplessly, we stood and stared. The proof of our guilt was spread out for all to see. In our ears rang, It won't sink! In prison, from time to time, I would resolve to correct my ways. But resolving is one thing, and doing is another.

The Futility of Resolutions and Self-Reformation

As soon as we were free, I went back to smuggling. A few years later, I went out on a boat at night. It was New Year's Eve, and in spite of myself, I began to review my life. I saw myself as a child, saying my prayers.

I heard my mother tell me of the one who came down from heaven to bring life to the world. The more I thought, the more horrified I was. God had created me, and I had lived, and was still living as though there was neither God nor eternity.

I got on my knees and prayed that God would help me. I would be another man. I wouldn't touch a drop of liquor. I made many more resolutions about what I would do and what I wouldn't, and I began to feel very good about myself.

On further reflection, I saw that there were a lot more things I ought to clean up that I must throw overboard, everything that didn't belong. My life was to be completely changed. My resolutions were getting more serious.

My heart grew lighter, and I was happy in the thought that I'd become a new man. Having made this decision, it seemed as if everything was in perfect order. I was ready to go back to land when suddenly the moon broke through the clouds and shone across the water to my boat line.

Sin Remains Before the Holiness of God

The memory of that morning, when chased by the Coast Guard, came crashing back. I had cast the cargo into the sea. It came over me with overwhelming power. I heard the cry, It won't sink. How blind I was.

I had tried to lighten the ship by casting the cargo overboard, and there it was all floating behind me like an accusing line, stretching up to the throne of God. All that I had done, said, or thought was there before God, and it wouldn't sink.

A fool that I was. I thought I could drown on my wickedness without a thought of the holiness of God if I'd been able from that moment on to do only what was good. It would have changed. It would not have changed the evil done in the past.

What good was it to be forming good resolutions for the future when the past couldn't be hidden? Tears filled my eyes. I was hopelessly lost. Then I remembered something. Hadn't I been told about Jesus, the Savior of sinners?

Salvation Through the Blood of Jesus Christ

Hadn't he died on the cross for me? And if I turned to him now, wouldn't his precious blood wash away my many sins? Wasn't there grace and mercy even for me? All at once everything was clear. Yes, the Lord Jesus had died for me.

He had borne the punishment of my sins. If I accepted that, that all would be cast into the depths of the sea, through sins and iniquities will I remember no more, came to my mind. I was filled with joy, entirely relieved of my burden.

I turned my boat toward shore, a new man. I had gone out a lost sinner, but I was coming back redeemed by the Lord. Well, friends, I hope that story encourages you as it's encouraged me through the years.

Sharing the Gospel With the Lost

Our sins will stack up against us and follow us into eternity. If they're not put under the blood, we must get under the blood and we must get to Christ. Having a gospel witness is a way to reach the lost and having a good gospel track ministry is one way to tell those people that need to hear about the one who came down here so we can go up there.

Let us pray.