Grandad's Testimony

I promised that I would share more about Grandad, but I will let Barry share instead.


The Testimony of Grandad Watts by Barry

As this year began and Grandad’s health began to quickly decline, the realization came upon me that, as his grandson and as a minister, I might be called upon to speak at his funeral. While I would have been honored, in honesty, I was troubled and terrified. What would I say? How could I say he had gone on to a better place? At that time, he was NOT right with God, and his eternal destination would NOT have been a better place. In John 14:6 Jesus says, "I am the
way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” For non-believers, for those who reject the message of Jesus Christ, this world is as good as it gets. They will not receive eternal life in heaven. But in his final days, Grandad realized something much greater… the joy, hope, and assurance of God’s promise in Christ Jesus. Just two weeks before his death, Grandad was physically in bad shape. It appeared to us, and to him, that he would not make it through the weekend. I had given up. Although I, along with friends and family, had been praying for Grandad’s salvation, it seemed as if those prayers were to no avail. Monday morning came, I called Dad to see how he was doing. The words that came through the phone left me in shock and awe. Grandad was up, in his chair, eating, barking out orders, and wanting to “talk religion”. Talk religion? In Matthew 19:26, Jesus said that “with man some things are impossible, but with God all things are possible.” But could this really be
possible? I had serious doubts and reservations. This was the same man that never wanted to talk about God. He hated when preachers would come over and try to talk to him about God. He wouldn’t even invite or welcome those people over if they were going to try to “preach” to him. He certainly didn’t go to church. This man wanted to talk about religion? As I arrived at his house, I joined a conversation with Grandad, a preacher, and my parents about God. Through many questions and answers, tears and emotions, I heard Troy Watts clearly declare that he believed that Jesus was the Son of God. He admitted that he had done things wrong, that he had sinned, and needed Jesus for forgiveness. He repented, had a change of heart, even to the point of feeling guilt over not having done more for God during his 97 years. And although it was not possible to baptize him, Troy Watts had a baptism of the heart; He became a “new creation” in Christ. A Christ-follower. A Christian. Grandad took hold of the hope and joy in Jesus, and I have no doubt whatsoever that he is in heaven this very day. As we talked about God, Grandad’s greatest worry was his unworthiness. How could God give him this gift of grace, when he had done nothing to deserve it? Grandad was a man who always “earned his own keep.” He didn’t believe in “hand-outs.” So how could God just give him this gift after he had rejected him over 97 years? “Grace” is defined as “undeserved merit”. Receiving something when you DO NOT deserve it. That is the wonderful love of God. We didn’t deserve the sacrifice on the cross, but God gave His Son anyway. Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” There is absolutely nothing we can do to earn our salvation, but only by faith can we be saved. Grandad, a man who freely gave all his life, now received the greatest gift from God. The gift of eternal life. Jesus said in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live,
even though he dies.” Prior to accepting Jesus, Grandad was worried that he had waited too long. That he was too late. He was discouraged that he had put off this decision for so long. Grandad shared something that no one had ever heard before. Many years ago, when Grandmother went forward one Sunday at church to accept Christ and be baptized, he wanted to go forward too. But something held him back. Pride held him back. Grandad had beat himself up for over 50 years for his cowardess. This time, when given a final chance, Grandad did not hold back. He found His Savior, still waiting for him, asking him to come. What an amazing week in God’s Kingdom! God is good!