by Arthur W. Pink
by Arthur W. Pink
Philologos Religious Online Books
Philologos.org
by Arthur W. Pink
June, 1936
God's Use of a Tract.
Some years ago we sent a copy of our tract “God's Call to Separation” (based upon 2 Cor. 6:14) to a brother in the Lord whom we have never met. Not long since we received a letter from him which, though not intended for publication, we hope may prove a blessing to others.
“'Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Tim. 4:8). In the story which I am about to tell, I had no thought of the profitableness of my obedience to the Word; in fact I had not this text in mind. I was ruled and governed by 2 Corinthians 6:14—'Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.' Your illuminating tract drew my attention to this Scripture, and God the Holy Spirit used it to arouse my conscience.
“Now to my story. I was in partnership with a Roman Catholic and an alleged Congregationalist, who was an ardent Spiritualist. Our business was a growing and prosperous one, and its future alluring. I had a young and large family and step-children dependents, and my wife made large demands on my purse; so I required a good income to carry on. Some years after forming this partnership I found the Lord. I had been a backslider, and had feared I had committed the unpardonable sin; so the joy of my salvation—after six years' seeking—was deep and lasting. How near I had been to the unpardonable sin, only eternity will disclose. Even now I can scarcely realise that a man could be so enlightened and so near to the kingdom as I must have been, and fall for twenty-five years, and yet be recovered. O praise the Lord with me for His mercy to a very chief of sinners. I bless God that I do feel an abject, hateful, and slimy creature, every time I think of my backsliding. What can God see in such?
“Some time after conversion your tract became effective. At first reading it did not do the work, but lay in my conscience as a good seed that finally sprang forth. I decided to leave the partnership. My partners tried to alter my decision, and failing, I secured a settlement on terms. That was four and a half years ago. Within three months the firm was in the maelstrom, and commenced to go down hill; and today it is in the melting-pot. I did not receive a cash settlement, but am being paid out of the assets, and the Receiver says I will get every penny, he thinks. My late partners will lose many thousands, and will receive nothing, or very little.
“In leaving them I acted against worldly judgment. I was driven by conscience. My only thought was to please the Lord; being willing to suffer loss by my act. But the Lord has shown me that 'Godliness is profitable unto all things: having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.' Today I am in bad health, and over sixty; but the money the Lord gave, and will give, has kept me, and with care will keep me until I am able to work again. When I think what might have happened had I disobeyed God, I realise how good He has been in making me willing, and causing all things to work together for His wayward one's good. Lest I might be thought 'wise' in the above, I must add that I have had many losses since retiring from the firm; and looking back, I can see selfishness, a want of calm meditative prayer before entering into matters, and much rashness in consequence in my affairs. Truly, our loving heavenly Father is a God of patience and forbearance in His dealings with His children.
“The above will encourage you, Beloved, to scatter more Seed in tracts, and to continue the work you are doing. I am not sending this for publication of course, as it is not written with that in view; but if you care to make a digest of it in your thanksgiving extracts later on, you may.”
“Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters” (Isa. 32:20). “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days” (Eccl. 11:1). May the above encourage and stimulate both writer and reader to heed these Scriptures.— A.W.P.
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