This is an excerpt from The Dynamic of Service by Paget Wilkes.
In dealing with such, it is important to distinguish this form of bondage from other and more hopeless cases. In reality the slavery to evil passions is more easily removed than any other, if only we know how to bring them to Christ just as they are. A striking instance will illustrate. While recently in England and staying at one of the military centers, I sought to help in one of the huts erected for the soldiers. One Sunday evening I had the privilege of listening to the story of its leader. His case so exactly illustrates my point both as to the bondage of sin and also as to the way of deliverance, that I here relate it.
Born of drunken parents, himself a drunkard in his early teens, often in jail, unable to read or write, a hopeless bit of flotsam on the wave of London life, he was one day, through the kind offices of his poor wife, skillfully piloted outside the zone of public houses and found himself listening to an open-air service. One of the speakers, coming up from behind, lovingly put his hand on his shoulder and urged him to seek the Savior.
Half in despair, half in anger, he retorted, “What is the good of asking me to do that when I am nearly always drunk? While the whisky is pouring down my throat I hate myself and know what a fool I am, but I cannot help it. How can I be a Christian?”
Opening his Bible at Romans 5:6, the preacher read to this poor, unlettered slave, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” He bade him observe the connection, “without strength” and “ungodly.” “The reason,” said he, “you have no strength and are a slave of the drink is that you are without God. If you can get back to Him, He will see to the drink craving for you. You have not to break off your sins and then come to Christ, but come just as you are. Christ has died for you just as you are.”
The poor fellow, utterly amazed, could scarce take in news so good; but hastening home, far into the night he cried to God just as he was, pleading Romans 5:6, which he had succeeded in memorizing. To him it proved the talisman to victory, a very passport to heaven. His chains fell off; he was freed from that hour; and many is the poor drunkard that God has allowed him to point to Christ since then.
…you do not do the things that you wish. (Gal. 5:17)If prejudice and ignorance are the prison-houses of the soul, evil passions are its chains. Everywhere we find men fettered by evil appetites. At first willing captives, imagining that silken cords are easily broken, young men and women gladly give themselves to their lust, only to discover before long that when they would be free, their slavery is complete.
No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)
In dealing with such, it is important to distinguish this form of bondage from other and more hopeless cases. In reality the slavery to evil passions is more easily removed than any other, if only we know how to bring them to Christ just as they are. A striking instance will illustrate. While recently in England and staying at one of the military centers, I sought to help in one of the huts erected for the soldiers. One Sunday evening I had the privilege of listening to the story of its leader. His case so exactly illustrates my point both as to the bondage of sin and also as to the way of deliverance, that I here relate it.
Born of drunken parents, himself a drunkard in his early teens, often in jail, unable to read or write, a hopeless bit of flotsam on the wave of London life, he was one day, through the kind offices of his poor wife, skillfully piloted outside the zone of public houses and found himself listening to an open-air service. One of the speakers, coming up from behind, lovingly put his hand on his shoulder and urged him to seek the Savior.
Half in despair, half in anger, he retorted, “What is the good of asking me to do that when I am nearly always drunk? While the whisky is pouring down my throat I hate myself and know what a fool I am, but I cannot help it. How can I be a Christian?”
Opening his Bible at Romans 5:6, the preacher read to this poor, unlettered slave, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” He bade him observe the connection, “without strength” and “ungodly.” “The reason,” said he, “you have no strength and are a slave of the drink is that you are without God. If you can get back to Him, He will see to the drink craving for you. You have not to break off your sins and then come to Christ, but come just as you are. Christ has died for you just as you are.”
The poor fellow, utterly amazed, could scarce take in news so good; but hastening home, far into the night he cried to God just as he was, pleading Romans 5:6, which he had succeeded in memorizing. To him it proved the talisman to victory, a very passport to heaven. His chains fell off; he was freed from that hour; and many is the poor drunkard that God has allowed him to point to Christ since then.
Comments