Dean in Trieste, Italy.
At a castle overlooking the city.
June 1979
Dean was a great friend of mine. I was deeply concerned for him and prayed often for his salvation. When he was in a crowd of sailors he would often boast of his prowling sexual exploits (all exaggerated—like most men’s), but when he was alone with me it was a different story. He was deeply craving and longing to make the plunge into eternal life by placing his faith in Christ. He told me about the faith of his mother and grandmother, and about their holy lifestyles. During our conversations he would hang on every word I would speak. I can still remember the longing in his eyes as he desired to submit and yield to Christ while I was talking with him. I could sense the Holy Spirit tugging at his heart and his deep yearning to receive everything God had to offer him.
Dean, however, held out and was able to resist the Holy Spirit. His fear of being rejected by the other sailors was so overpowering that he allowed his heart to become hardened against the drawing power of God. I still think about my friend from time to time, wondering if he has ever yielded his life to Jesus.
During a revival not everybody will yield to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, no matter how power-filled the message may be. Even Jesus had his “Rich Young Ruler” who walked away sad.
“Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said to Him, ‘Which ones?’ Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, honor your father and your mother, and, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man said to Him, ‘All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Matthew 19:16-22)
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