Mr. C. I. Scofield, known to many through what is called the "Scofield Bible," was in early life a man of superior ability as a lawyer in his own community. Though he possessed great mental power, he became "a little child" in the simplicity of his faith in God after he had accepted "His Son," Jesus Christ, as his Savior and his Lord.
He has described himself, before his conversion, as "a drunkard, a wretch, a ruined and hopeless man who, despite all his struggles, was fast bound in chains of his own forging." This is the man who accepted Christ as Savior, and whom the Savior delivered and set free. This is the man who became one of God's servants for the propagation of His living and life-giving Word. The story is invaluable as a witness to the power of Christ to deliver from sin.
One day Mr. Scofield was alone in his St. Louis law office when Mr. Thomas S. McPheeters entered. The two men were about the same age and had been friends for many years. After a few minutes of general conversation, Mr. McPheeters prepared to leave. With his hand upon the doorknob, he turned and faced Mr. Scofield, saying: "For a long time I have been wanting to ask you a question. I have been afraid before, but I am going to ask it now."
"I never thought of you as afraid of anyone," said Mr. Scofield in hearty friendship. "What is your question?"
The reply was unexpected. "I want to ask you why you are not a Christian."
After a moment's deep thought the lawyer answered, "Does not the Bible say something about drunkards having no place in heaven? I am a hard drinker, McPheeters." "You haven't answered my question, Scofield," the other man replied. "Why are you not a Christian?"
"I have always been a nominal church member, you know," said Scofield, "but I do not recall ever having been shown just how to be a Christian. I DON'T KNOW HOW!"
Now McPheeters had his answer. He drew up a chair and took a Testament out of his pocket. From it he read passage after passage from the precious Word, plainly showing his friend how to be saved.
"Will you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior?" he asked.
"I'm going to think about it," said Scofield.
"No, you're not," answered McPheeters. "You've been thinking about it all your life. Will you settle it now? Will you believe in Christ now, and be saved?"
The logical-minded, clear-thinking lawyer liked clear-cut statements and unequivocal questions and answers. After a moment's thought he looked his friend full in the face and said quietly, "I will."
The two men dropped down on their knees together. Scofield told the Lord Jesus that he believed on Him and received Him as his own personal Savior. There on his knees he was saved! He was a new creation in Christ Jesus. Old things had passed away and all things had become new. (2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)). Thomas S. McPheeters had been used of God to lead C. I. Scofield to Christ.
To emphasize the power of Christ to deliver and to set the captive of sin free from the fetters that enthrall, we give the following facts from a letter written by Mr. Scofield:
"Great opportunities had indeed been given me, and for years I had made them my own. But slowly, insidiously, the all but universal habit of drink in society and among the men of my time overmastered me."
Scofield was not a victor in the battle of life—though victories had come to him—but a ruined, hopeless man who, despite all his struggles, was fast bound in chains of his own forging. He had no thought of Christ other than a vague respect—the survival of family influence.
There was no hope that in a church, sometime he might hear and believe the gospel, for he never went to church.
And then the Lord Jesus Christ took up his case, for "man's extremity is God's opportunity." Men had turned from him, but the Lord of glory sought him. Through Thomas McPheeters, a joyous, trusting Christian, Jesus Christ offered Himself to that wreck. Wrote Mr. Scofield:
"It was a Bible conversion. From a worn pocket Testament McPheeters read to me the great gospel passages, the great deliverance passages, John 3:16; 6:47; 10:2816For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
47Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (John 6:47)
28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28); Acts 13:38, 3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39), and the like. When I asked, like the Philippian jailer of old, 'What must I do to be saved?' he just read them again. When we knelt for prayer, I received Jesus Christ as my Savior.
"Instantly the chains were broken, never to be forged again. The passion for drink was taken away through dependence on Jesus Christ, my Lord. Divine power did it, wholly of grace. To Christ be all the glory.
"Yours in His love,
"C. I. S."
Blessed fact, the story of C. I. Scofield is just such as may be repeated, in the experience of any soul so bound "in the chains of their own forging" as C. I. Scofield was. "Jesus only" is the hope for every soul fettered by the force of evil habit.
"This is My blood of
the new testament,
which is shed for many
for the remission
of sins."
“It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."