Hector McLean was what the villagers called "a good-living man." Regular at church and orthodox in creed, he professed to be as good a Christian as was going. When his pastor called and inquired if he had really been converted, Hector began to recount his good deeds, and concluded by saying: "Not that they can save my soul; but I have the belief that it will all come right in the end.”
"Hector," replied the pastor solemnly, "I have always appreciated your regular attendance at meetings, but faithfulness compels me to say that you are a wicked trifler with God and your soul.”
Hector's face flushed with anger, and he exclaimed, "What do you mean, sir?”
"I mean that you are a lost sinner, and in danger of the wrath to come.”
"If you have nothing better than that to tell me, you need never call at my house again. Good day, sir.”
Mr. Faithful quietly left, hopeful that the turning-point had come at last. What though the interview had ended unpleasantly? Anything was better than indifference.
Late on Saturday evening there was a gentle ring at the door bell. "Mr. McLean, sir," whispered the servant.
"Come in, Hector," said the minister, pulling him into the study. Hector was so surprised at the hearty greeting that the apology he had prepared was forgotten, and he sat silently gazing at the floor.
"I hope you have no bad news," said Mr. Faithful, by way of bringing him round.
"Bad enough, sir. My false hope of salvation is gone. I know the truth of what you told me. At the time I was very angry with you; but I felt you spoke in love, and that it was a message from God. I was unwilling to give in, as I thought my good deeds ought to go for something in the sight of God but now I see my mistake. Will you please forgive my rudeness, and make the way of salvation clear to me?”
"Most heartily, Hector, and I am glad that it is not necessary for me to prove that you are under the curse of a broken law, and that no effort of your own can atone for sin, or make you acceptable to God. The Holy Spirit has done that already. I would, therefore, first draw you earnest attention to a text in the Old Testament. You will find it in Isa. 53:6: 'All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.' Now turn to the New Testament, 1st Peter 2:24: 'Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.' Where were you sins laid, Hector?”
"On Christ.”
"Who bore the penalty?”
"Christ.”
"Read in John's Gospel, 3:18: 'He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already.'
It is because you believe not in Him as your substitute that you are condemned. Pardon has been purchased and is offered to you, but you have not accepted it.”
"I think I understand it all now, sir. Here I am, a guilty sinner, self-condemned; Christ has atoned for my sins, and all I have to do is to thank Him for His love and to trust myself entirely to Him for the future. When I do so, His Holy Spirit will come in and teach me to know what is right. He will also guide me into all truth.”
"Yes, it is simply accepting the gift of God's love in Christ, who is waiting to receive you.”
Then and there Hector McLean knelt and gave himself to the Savior. Then he rose, and with tearful eyes and grateful heart sang―
“‘Tis done! the great transaction's done!
I am my Lord's and He is mine;
He drew me and I followed on,
Charmed to confess the voice divine.”