Two men had lived as...
Illustration
Two men had lived as feuding neighbors for more than 50 years and hated each other intensely. A revivalist came to the community, put up a tent, and one of the feuding neighbors was persuaded to go. He was converted and a few days later he appeared at his neighbor's house, leading two cows and a horse.
"I have come," he told his enemy, "to repay you for one of your cows which wandered into my pasture more than 20 years ago. I am sorry to say that I kept it, but I have repented of my sins and want to make things right."
The other neighbor was truly surprised. "You old thief!" he said, "I will certainly take the cow in payment for the one you stole, but why the extra cow and horse?"
"They are yours," said the repentant farmer, "as interest for the cow I stole and also as a sign of my sincerity. I know that God expects us to prove our repentance with actions as well as with words. The Bible also says that we should repay double for what we steal, and that is why I have brought you two cows. The horse I give to you hoping you will use it to ride down to the tent revival. If you are converted maybe you will return double all the chickens and pigs you have stolen from me through the years."
-- Byrd
"I have come," he told his enemy, "to repay you for one of your cows which wandered into my pasture more than 20 years ago. I am sorry to say that I kept it, but I have repented of my sins and want to make things right."
The other neighbor was truly surprised. "You old thief!" he said, "I will certainly take the cow in payment for the one you stole, but why the extra cow and horse?"
"They are yours," said the repentant farmer, "as interest for the cow I stole and also as a sign of my sincerity. I know that God expects us to prove our repentance with actions as well as with words. The Bible also says that we should repay double for what we steal, and that is why I have brought you two cows. The horse I give to you hoping you will use it to ride down to the tent revival. If you are converted maybe you will return double all the chickens and pigs you have stolen from me through the years."
-- Byrd
