By: Roger Wood
Several weeks ago an article I wrote was posted on Central Challenge entitled “Buried Treasure.” There were words in the beginning of the article that did not belong to me, particularly in the second paragraph.
I should have put the bulk of these words in quotations but I did not. I knowingly passed them on as if they were mine.
This is plagiarism, which is using someone else’s words without proper citation.
I am truly sorry for this and I have gone to the Lord with a repentant heart.
I am not attempting to beat myself up publicly but I do want you to know that there is good news to this story.
My post was published on Thursday, Feb. 29, and the next day I received a call from Pastor Lars who indicated that a portion of my article was in question.
I knew I was guilty but during the conversation, I attempted to camouflage and disclaim my sin of cheating. In short, I denied it.
During the remainder of Friday and through the early hours of Saturday morning there was a spiritual battle going on within me. Should I “ride it out” I reasoned, and maybe my actions will be forgotten or should I confess my sin and accept the consequences that may follow?
As the hours passed, I was increasingly under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and through the Holy Spirit I began to desire a spirit of repentance and a mourning over my sin.
I am grateful that the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote Galatians 5:17 “For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.”
I wanted to meet with Pastor Lars as soon as possible and later that day we were able to do so. Lars could see that I was under some stress. As you would expect, he was concerned for my well being and offered gentle counselling, advice and prayer.
Through all of this, two brothers in Christ experienced in a wonderful way God’s limitless grace and mercy, upon the life of a repentant soul.
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firm to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin: Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.” Heb. 4: 14-16.
