"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28) "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 6:36)

A Japanese soldier by the name of Shoichi Yokoi lived in a cave on the island of Guam to which he fled in 1944 when the tides of war began to change. Fearing for his life, he stayed hidden for twenty-eight years in the jungle cave, coming out only at night. During this self-imposed exile he lived on frogs, rats, snails, shrimp, nuts and mangoes. Even when he figured out the war was over, he was afraid to come out for fear he would be executed. Two hunters found him one day and escorted him to freedom. He was living all this time under the indictment of sins that had all been dealt with--but he simply had not appropriated the atonement that was available. (From Illustrations Unlimited, by James S. Hewett, p. 36)

If only people today would appropriate the atonement provided in Christ! They could be freed from their sins, have salvation, and the hope of eternal life.