We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways; we refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's Word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." (v. 2)

A young man was visiting with his pastor one afternoon. He had been in the pastor's confirmation class many years before. In fact, after his confirmation experience he rarely came to church except for Christmas and Easter. Now he was an adult and very much involved in the world. During this visit, he was bragging to his pastor about some of his business practices. He said, "In my business, I have lied many times in order to close certain deals. But it doesn't bother me. I don't care about that. If I have to cheat and steal, I will do it because I don't really care about that."

The pastor listened very intently to the young man's testimony. Then the pastor shared with him how Jesus had come to earth to die and be raised again so that his sins could be forgiven and so that he could have eternal life. At this point, the pastor asked the young man if he would do him a favor. Would he go home and look in the mirror and say ten times, "Jesus Christ died for me, but I don't care about that." The young man thought that it was a little silly but agreed that when he got home he would do that. When he got home, he began to do what the pastor had suggested. He looked in the mirror and said, "Jesus Christ died for me, but I don't care about that." He could only say it two times and then decided to return to the pastor's office at the church. With tears in his eyes he said, "If God sent his Son to die for me, I do care about that and I want to know more."

Reprinted from With Him All the Way by Oscar Anderson, copyright 1948, Augsburg Publishing House.