A Word of Encouragement from Elizabeth Rice Handford
On a long flight from Connecticut to Washington, D.C., my seat mate was a beautiful Jewish woman. We’d had a lively conversation about things we were both interested in. Then I told her about my relationship with the Lord Jesus. I told her I couldn’t come to God on my own because I was a sinner, and that Jesus had paid the penalty for my sin, so now I enjoy God’s wonderful presence without fear.
Curious, she asked, “My goodness, what has a nice lady like you done that’s so bad?” I was abashed. If she only knew the sins that had lurked in my heart when I came to Jesus, she’d have known what I was really like: Pride in things I’d been given, not earned. Uncharitableness to people to whom I owed great love. Envy of others who owned something I coveted. Ingratitude that belittled the lavish gifts God showered on me. Anger and impatience toward those who did not deserve it. Unloving and selfish, I concentrated on what I wanted. No, I hadn’t murdered anyone. I hadn’t committed adultery. But in my unforgiven heart, the seeds of all kinds of sin were already sown.
Aloud, and hesitantly. I answered her, “God says hating someone is as bad as murdering them.” Her eyes misted. “Then I’m a sinner, too. I hate Castro. He confiscated all our estates in Cuba.”
Our plane landed at National (now Reagan) airport without either of us being aware of it. As we scrambled to gather our possessions, she said, “I do believe that Jesus is the Messiah.” Then she added, “I have a tight connection, so I’ll go ahead.” “There’s a little shop on this concourse that serves yogurt ice cream,” I said. “I have time before my flight to get a dish.” While I was eating my ice cream, that dear woman walked in, looking for me! “My travel agent made a mistake. I have four hours before my flight leaves.” And so, because of God’s very special grace to me that day, we got to continue our conversation about the the love of God and the death of the dear Lord Jesus for our sins. We talked so long and earnestly that I
nearly missed my flight home!
The answer to her question about “a nice lady like you” is simple. Our definition of sin is defective. What is sin? Choosing to go our own way with no regard for God’s commands. Andthat rebellion is in every human being, no matter how nice we look on the outside.
For all have sinned; all fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
That Scripture warns us that if we’ve broken only one of the laws of God, we are sinners and need forgiveness. That’s why Romans 6:23 is so precious:
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
That’s the blessed heart of the Christmas story that God wants us to embrace: when we accept the gift of His salvation, all sins are paid for through Christ’s death on the cross. This “nice lady” with a rebel heart became a child of God when I accepted His gift of salvation. I received His peace and joy. And I live in the unbelievable promise of life forever with the One who loves me—and you—beyond all understanding. That’s the heart of Christmas.