The man’s name was Sam. He was incarcerated in the Davidson County Jail. I asked Sam if he had a Testament? He said curtly, “No, and I don’t need one.” 

I asked, “Would you be willing to read just five verses? 

“No! Sam takes care of Sam. I don’t need that!” 

I pressed on: “Sam, being independent and self-sufficient is admirable. But, what you do not understand, there is a soul, deep down inside of you that is immortal. It will never die. The problem is, we are born with a disease called sin, for which there is only one cure. You cannot take a pill to heal sin, no vaccine. You cannot write a check to make it go away. Only the blood of Jesus Christ shed for you on that cross at Calvary 2000 years ago can heal your sin disease. I will be praying for you.”

Turning to walk away, he grabbed me by the arm and said, “What about the little New Testament?” 

“What about it?” 

“Well, aren’t you going to give it to me?” 

“No.” You distinctly told me you would not read it. I wasn’t even asking you to read the whole thing, just a few verses. Have a nice day!” Turning to walk away, he grabbed me by the arm the second time and said, “Mark the pages!” 

The Holy Spirit had Sam right where He wanted him. This might get exciting! I marked the pages and told him when I would be back. And I prayed.

On the next visit, entering Sam’s block, I made eye contact immediately, but, his pride would not let him come to the Bible study table. The Spirit was working on Sam. He would walk the periphery of the cell block and, inconspicuously, lean in toward the table so as to hear what was being discussed. 

We finished at 11:00 PM. The lights dimmed. As the electronic lock was released, I heard someone shout. It sounded like my name. I stepped back inside, and from the diagonal far corner I could see somebody running, hands outstretched. It was Sam. He was crying. (Crying is not cool in penal institutions!!) 

Clutching me by the arm, Sam begged, “Please do not leave! There were a few things that I neglected to tell you last time.

“Less than one year ago, a friend of mine introduced me to cocaine. Today, everything I own is gone except for a pair of shorts and a worn-out pair of shoes. Everything I own and everyone that I ever loved are all gone. But, I read that little Testament, and, please, please do not leave this block until you show me how to say ‘yes’ to Jesus the right way, tonight!!”

I glanced at my watch. “Sam, you are supposed to be in lockdown, and I am supposed to be gone but, let’s talk quickly.”

I begin turning to marked passages in the Bible, handing them to Sam to read aloud;

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son …” 

Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned …” 

Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death …” 

Revelation 3:29, “Behold I stand at the door and knock …” 

Romans 10:13, “Therefore, whosoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 

“Sam, do you believe this?” He said emphatically, “Yes!” We prayed. All in about three minutes! I gave him more scripture and told him when I would be back. 

When I returned, Sam was playing cards made out of milk cartons. When we made eye contact this time, his reaction was different! “Hey guys, get rid of these cards. It’s time for Bible study.” 

He saw the table was dirty, so he ran to his cell to get his washcloth. He frantically started cleaning the pinto bean juice, collard greens, and fried chicken grease off of the table. He threw the washcloth through the bars while shouting, “Hey, men, it’s time for Bible study. We’re having Bible study right here. Hey, you guys on the top floor, what’s wrong with you, get down here. Now! Don’t you know it’s time for Bible study!” and he slammed his hand on that old stainless steel table sounding like a shotgun for the second time!! 

Everything got quiet as a graveyard. After a few seconds, we sat down. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but all of a sudden, guys from all corners of the cellblock started migrating toward the table. That night, we had the largest group for Bible study that I had ever seen!! I believed the Holy Spirit was going to show up in unprecedented measure!

As the time for the invitation arrived, I said, “Men, what about you?” And just as I got the words out of my mouth, I saw Sam stand up. Sam said, “Yeah, guys, what about you? Have you ever made that decision for Jesus?“ He looked at each man, eyeball to eyeball. “What about you? Some of you have never made that decision. Don’t feel bad; neither had I before last week. Now is the time!” 

As Sam paused, a tall gentleman on the back row raised his hand and said, “I want to make that decision tonight.” Directly across the table from me was Big Alex. Big Alex, overcome with emotion (all 250 lbs. of him,) slid under the table with his hand up as to say, “Me, too!” That night, Sam led his first three converts to Jesus.

Fast forward about four weeks later on a Saturday morning. Just as I hit the intercom, that huge steel door burst open, and there, nose to nose, stood Big Alex. I said, “Big Alex, where are you going?” And this was his response, “I am going back to Atlanta. But, I am going back to Atlanta a new man. THAT NIGHT CHANGED MY LIFE!”

According to Harvest America, 95 percent of born again evangelicals have never led another person to a decision for Jesus, yet, 85 percent of new believers come to Christ through one-on-one personal witnessing. 80 percent of these new believers are won to Christ by another new believer of less than two years. These new believers are contagious!

For Sam, contagious evangelism was simple. A relationship with Jesus changed my life. Would you be willing to make that decision, too? The power is always in the Word! ALWAYS! Who are you prepared to share God’s plan of salvation with today? 

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FINAL WORD:

Are you proving that the Christian life is a joyful, happy thing? Do you look glad that you are a Christian? Does your life radiate joy and enthusiasm? Check yourself carefully on this before you teach it. Make the Christian life contagious.

REFLECT:

MAKE YOUR TOP 5 LIST. Take the next couple of minutes and in your journal, write down the names of 5 people in your sphere of life who don’t know Christ. Take the time to pray for each of them, and ask God to open a door of opportunity to share the truth of God’s Word—the invitation to turn from self and worthless idols TO God through Christ.