I was really worried. Some weeks ago Bruce, my friend and brother in Christ, had gone on business to Birmingham, the big city in the adjoining state. Before leaving he had turned over to me some accounts he carried, and asked that I represent him in his absence if any of them required it. He said he would not be gone long and would keep in touch with me. I was pleased to do this small favor for him as I had at such times before.
Over the years since Bruce's conversion we had enjoyed a close relationship. I, as his pastor, rejoiced in my Christian brother's growth in the knowledge of the Word of God. He too delighted in the deep truths and glorious promises he found in Scripture. On one subject though we could not agree: Bruce's intolerance of fault or failing in a professing Christian. "You can't tell ME," he would say, "that a wicked sinner who has received God's forgiveness and accepted as for himself the sacrifice of His beloved Son can ever go back to his old ways. I say that such a person has never been a child of God, and Hebrews 10:26-2926For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:26‑29) will bear me out."
In vain I had sought to explain the two natures that are at war in the believer, and the loving advocacy of the Son before the God of all grace. Bruce would have none of it. Instead, he would quote, "Be ye holy; for I am holy," 1 Pet. 1:1616Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:16). Once I had responded: "Bruce, God may have to let you make a sad misstep in order to prove to you that His love never fails. He'll never let go of those who have been washed in the precious blood of Christ. They have cost too much."
Now after his weeks of absence and failure to write to me I was worried. Could he be sick? Had he been injured? I lifted up my heart to God for guidance and for His watchful care over my dear friend Bruce.
Sharing my deep concern with my wife was a relief; and how simply she helped me! "Why don't you take the train to Birmingham this afternoon? You would be gone only a couple of days, and I can handle things here for you. Call the hotels there. He must be registered in one of them. And cheer up! Remember our verse? 'I being in the way, the Lord led me.' "
So it was that before many hours had passed I was in that busy city. I went directly to a hotel where I had often stayed, and the night clerk assigned me to a quiet comfortable room. While waiting in the lobby for a bellboy, I asked the clerk to see if my friend Bruce was registered or if he had been there in the past few weeks. As I gave Bruce's name a peculiar expression came on the man's face. Then hesitantly he asked: "Are you—close friends?"
I answered quickly and positively: "Yes, we are." Then I added: "I am his pastor."
A smile of relief replaced the odd expression I had noted. "Your friend is here—room 416—but he may not want to see you. He is drinking heavily." And, as he handed me my key, the clerk almost whispered: "Thank God, you are here, sir."
"Room 416." Bruce was here. I knew I could not sleep before seeing my friend, but I had to pray. Kneeling in my room I cried to God for the courage and wisdom that I needed, and for the prepared heart of His erring child. As I prayed I was encouraged by a verse that came to mind: "Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might." Eph. 6:1010Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (Ephesians 6:10). All the way down the hall and up the stairs towards the fourth floor that verse sang in my heart.
Room 416, at last. Instead of knocking, I tried the doorknob. The door opened! There before me at a small writing table Bruce sat, his head bowed on his arms, a partly emptied bottle before him. As the door clicked shut behind me his head with its tousled mane of red hair lifted. Before I could speak he burst out: "Why did you come? I'm just a rotter—a derelict going straight to hell. Oh, why did you come?"
As gently as I could I answered him, "Bruce, I didn't come to condemn you. Not one word of blame will you get from me. But let me ask you: how could you do it?"
A derisive laugh was my answer. Then sobering somewhat Bruce spoke. "Why, don't you know? I'm a jolly good fellow. I went with the boys to dinner. Drinks were served. I was tired. I took one—to help me through the evening. One called for another—another—another. I passed out. They brought me here. When I waked the old craving was back. I wanted more—and more—and more.
"Oh, yes, I thought I could stop—that I was my own master. I opened my Bible. It had nothing for me. I threw it aside. When I tried to pray, no words came. I gave it up. There on the table was a fresh bottle I had ordered. Ah, I still had it—my good friend—it, and the others that followed."
Silently asking for divine help, I said: "Bruce, I still don't condemn you, but I have one more question. When you were at your lowest depths, did God give you up? Was His love nothing to you?"
Without a word the poor face before me crumpled. Tears streamed from his eyes and his shoulders shook with barely stifled sobs. As the storm of emotion subsided Bruce's response was what I longed to hear "That's what breaks my heart! He won't give me up."
Oh how I thanked the God of all grace, the Father of mercies, for this broken heart! One could feel His nearness to His erring child. Would such love and goodness bring forth repentance and a truly contrite spirit? Completely dependent on the Spirit of God for the needed Word, and words, I repeated scripture after scripture showing forth the constant Presence, the advocacy and all-sufficiency of Him whose precious blood cleanses from all sin. As I quoted 1 John 1: 9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness— "Bruce's head lifted, and a look of intense comprehension brightened his face.
"All unrighteousness," he repeated softly. "And I was so full of my own righteousness! Only filthy rags in the sight of God. How can He forgive me?" And now the penitent tears were flowing.
How complete is the work of the Spirit of God in a truly humble and contrite soul! Never again did I see arrogance, intolerance, or self-righteousness manifested in the soon restored spirit of my dear friend Bruce. Instead, with humbleness of heart and constant dependence upon the keeping power of the Savior of sinners, he thereafter proved that he had lost all confidence in the flesh.
What a hard lesson to have to learn: that it is impossible to keep one's self from stumbling in the way. But, dear child of God, how blessed it is to rest in the word that we are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Pet. 1:55Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:5).