Life affords us with numerous opportunities to learn its monumental lessons. Some are learned easily; others can humble us to the core. This is one of, if not my most humbling lesson learned to date. I offer it to you, in hopes that you don’t travel down a similar road.
I graduated from preaching school in July of 2000 and began my first preaching work in August of the same year. That first month afforded me with a wonderful occasion to do what I would years later regret. I had heard that a well-known brother, a seasoned and veteran preacher among churches of Christ was coming to town to hold a meeting in our community. He was a published author, and while I had never read one of his books, I had read critiques of them by others. I’d seen his name “published,” in a not-so-positive light in a couple of periodicals over the years, but I was going to hear him for myself. So I donned a suit, my bible, and with an attitude headed for the meeting.
I listened with the most critical of ears. My radar was attuned to certain words and phrases that I knew were signs of heresy. In my mind, I wasn’t let down. He offered the signs both in word and deed, and now with evidence in hand, I could confront him and put him in his place. So I did. I told him who I was, where I was from, and what I thought about what he had to say. I’d made my “defense of the gospel” (Philippians 1:17). I walked out of that building proud, as if the apostle Paul himself would’ve patted me on the back in affirmation.
Over the years, I’d used the story of that experience as fodder for my own ego, as well as for those who listened. I’d bravely confronted a “false teacher,” a well-known one at that. My friends in the faith would be jealous.
Years later, I would come to understand that back then I had serious issues with respect to motives. In fact, there is no other word for them but “impure.” The kind, gentle man I confronted years before was as gracious as could be to me. After my defining moment, he would send me his materials free of charge. I never even replied with a “thank you.” I later, critically and prejudicially, read one of his books, but that’s not how you give someone an “honest” hearing. I was right; he was wrong; the case was closed.
God has an amazing way of showing us our folly. If ever there is a real and practical reminder that we would think before we act, it is the fact that “Hindsight is 20/20.” Eventually, my wife would serve as the catalyst to help me look back at that occasion with clarity. I was all wrong, both about the man I confronted and what he was saying, as well as in my motives.
Several months ago, I located his address and wrote him a letter apologizing for my ignorance and immaturity. I didn’t really listen to him, and not doing so caused me to reach unjustified conclusions. I was in no place to do what I did. It was a painful letter to write, but it was also bittersweet in that it was as liberating as it was excruciating. Confession of fault is the pathway to healing (James 5:16).
I mailed the letter on January 15th of this year. On Saturday, January 17, I received an email from this brother acknowledging that he’d received with appreciation my letter. He was as gracious in that email as he’d been the night I’d gone to put him in his place. Later that night, he would take the time to write me once more, encouraging me to,
“Preach the Word – the living Word! ”I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Paul. Acts 20:24) I’m praying for your message tomorrow.
Little did he know that the following day I was preaching from the very text he cited in his word of encouragement. God has an amazing way of letting us know when he is pleased with us! I’ve seen the error of my ways, but at the same time have seen the hand of God in sweet delight, as if to say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23). That really makes two lessons learned.
