He Desires a Better Country

by Colin Williamson

It was to be a special Sunday afternoon.  A call came from Lewis Matlock asking me to visit his brother-in-law, Martin Kohn.  I was welcomed at the door by Lewis and June and Betty Kohn and ushered into the bedroom where Martin lay on a hospital bed.  His visits to the church services and brother Harrison's Thursday morning class had brought him to a receptive mind for the gospel.  But Martin had some questions which he presented with precise clarity.  Questions from an honest and searching mind.

My task was easy.  I read several conversion accounts from the book of Acts.  Martin understood that he must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, repent of all his past sins, and be baptized into Christ in order to be saved.  He was fully willing.  He expressed his faith in Jesus before us all.  Lewis ran water in the bathtub and Martin, with slow steps, made his way to the water.  With strain and effort he reclined himself in the tub.  I knelt beside and gently immersed him in water.  He smiled, his eyes sparkled, and he thanked God for his forgiveness.

Dressed and in conversation with us all, his animated voice declared his happiness.  The physical condition of his weakened body, now a far less concern.  He now has title to a home in heaven!  While the end of life here may not be so far in his future, it's approach is now without fear.  Martin had made his "reservations" and eternal life was on the horizon.  We stood together and prayed to God with great thanksgiving for His mercy freely given to us.

Martin sought to know all he could know.  With all his available energy he tried to learn.  He watched videos of the Bible, the plan of salvation, and he asked a lot of questions.  He loved conversation about spiritual topics.  He pursued them gleefully.  One would feel a sadness that he had to leave and end such wonderful exchanges.  Martin's favorite subject was heaven.  He anticipated being with the Persons of Deity.  Conversations with the great Bible characters.  Asking questions and giving thanks for this new unending life.  For the magnificence of a holy city inhabited by the redeemed from all ages and the heavenly beings who abide there.  Martin awaits the day when he can be an inhabitant of "the city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."  Martin has inspired me to see, with a clearer focus, Heaven as my goal.  "But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." (Heb. 11:16)