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After a wild and corrupt life, Brownlow North was brought under deep conviction of sin and soundly converted to God. He eventually became a powerful preacher of the Gospel and his name became a household word throughout Scotland.

The Challenge

On one occasion as he was entering the building where he was to preach, a note was put into his hand which said:

“Brownlow North, you miserable hypocrite! Do you remember the part you took in the events at …”

The letter went on to give specific places and dates, as well as details of what happened. Then the letter concluded:

“Now, you wretched hypocrite! You know that every word in this letter is true. Will you now dare to go into that pulpit, tell others that they are sinners, and preach what you call the Gospel?”

The Answer

Mr. North felt the force of the letter keenly, and when the time for his address came, he read the familiar words: “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” He paused, and then, with deepest feeling, added—“of whom I am chief”
(1 Timothy 1:15).

“My friends,” he said, “when I entered this building tonight, a letter was put into my hands. The writer is evidently one who knows a great deal about my life in the past. This letter charges me with participating in rebellion, excess, and sin of all kinds.

“Dear friends, there are three things that I have to say about this letter. First, it is true. Would to God that I could undo the past, but it cannot be undone. God knows that it is true, and I confess with sorrow and shame that it is true. And the second thing I have to say is, it’s all forgiven. Because I have trusted Jesus Christ, who died for my sins and rose again, it is forgiven. God knows it is forgiven, and I know it is forgiven. And the third thing I have to say is that, if God, through Jesus Christ, can forgive the sins of such a sinner as Brownlow North, there is not a sinner in this wide world too great for God to forgive all his sins.”

Your Challenge

God, who knows your faults and sins—even your “secret” thoughts and deeds—is the one who you must face some day. Whether you feel you are too great a sinner to be forgiven, or too great a person to need God’s forgiveness, His message to you is the same:

1. All Are Sinners: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

2. All Need Jesus as Savior: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).

3. All Can Be Saved: God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Your Answer?

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