Tracing God's Grace In The Life Of A Young Man

by R.I. Shaw in conversation with Roy Dickson | Category: General | Oct 1984

Roy, when did you first think about God?

At 7 or 8 years of age I can remember ordering my father and brother to stand outside my room while I prayed to God.

Had you a religious background?

Yes. My grandfather was a Mission Hall preacher among shipyard workers in the west of Scotland and my great uncle, who wrote "All the Days of My Life", was a missionary in the Nigerian bush during the Biafran war. Father is an elder with the Church of Scotland and a saved man.

Were you saved as a child?

No. I went to church, but I never heard the gospel preached there. It was not until my early twenties that I had the assurance of salvation.

How did that come about?

I must go back to my teens. At 16 I had a growing awareness that Jesus is the son of God, but I cannot recall what made me think in that way. I guess that reading my Bible brought a general feeling of deficiency. In fact, I remember thinking that I must give my life to Jesus Christ, but at that time I thought that this meant becoming a missionary. This was probably due to the influence of my family although they did not suggest it.

I remember answering a question at school which asked, "What is the most important thing in your life?" with the words, "Trying to live as we were shown 2000 years ago."

But you were not saved?

I'm really not sure. Certainly, I had no assurance of it. I left High School and went to University. With no prayer life and living away from home I was an easy prey to any so-called religious teaching, not knowing my Bible. In November 1975 I met up with the Moonies and was so caught up with the cult that, despite being only a short time away from graduation, I decided to give up my studies to become a Moonie missionary. My professors were concerned and my parents distressed by my decision.

Was this decision real to you?

Oh yes! I had begun praying to Sun Myung Moon who is regarded by the cult as a second Christ. I prayed intensely that I would be shown the true way of life by a certain date and I fasted that the answer might come. To become a full-time Moonie missionary was my understanding of the answer. It cost me a lot to take that decision.

What then?

By the mercy of God, through the distress of my family whom I loved dearly, I was persuaded to abandon my intentions for the time being and I stayed on at University to get my degree, much to the relief of my professors. I must add, however, that I was still in sympathy with Moon and with what he taught.

You were possibly still unsaved at that time. When did you begin to find spiritual direction?

In 1976 1 spent some time in France. Having little money and feeling lonely I began reading parts of the Bible I hadn't read before, such as "Romans" and other epistles. I also began praying to God to show me whether Jesus or Moon was the true Christ. But I was still confused and uncertain about spiritual matters, so after completing my studies I applied for a job in Merseyside. I was disappointed at not getting it and decided to take a single year's course at a Technical College.

Would you say that the refusal of the job turned out as a spiritual blessing? I certainly would. Here I was, spiritually confused and generally disillusioned and drifting. I shall never forget standing in the college enrolment queue in such a condition when immediately behind me was a disciple of Jesus Christ. God had led us both to join the same year of the same course on the same day at the same place and at the same time. His ways are past tracing out.

It's a long story, but within a week I was attending gospel meetings and having discussions about Christ.

Did this then, bring the assurance of salvation?

Yes, it did. I remember praying in tears that God might show me who really was Christ - Jesus or Moon. This was my biggest predicament. One thing that deeply impressed me was the thought that the reference to Jesus as "the Lamb of God" was not so much a reference to His gentleness as to His sacrificial death on the cross. This was a big pointer to me and began to strike at the Moonie heresy.

By Christmas 1977 I was sure at last that Jesus is Christ and told my father this, much to his relief!

Through sustained discussion there was a gradual process of throwing out the evil of Moon's teachings in the light of the Word of God until, at last, I found the assurance of eternal life.

This was not the end of God's direction, was it?

No! It was just the beginning. By the time I had finished with college I had learned about believers' baptism. But I questioned why I could not be baptized in a Church of Scotland. The minister said he preferred it, but that he would not carry it out as it would offend the congregation.

When were you baptized?

I was offered a job in Berkshire and joined a little group of evangelical Christians. After a year I was baptized with them, but became unsettled as a result of their disunity.

God had greater revelation for you?

I believe so His Truth was leading me to His house. Some of the friends I had left behind in Scotland wrote to me occasionally. One in particular contacted a friend of his in Surrey who, in turn, invited me to his home and, subsequently, to a church of God. My real interest in divine truth revived. I quickly saw God's pattern of collective testimony and service from Acts 2:41, 42 and elsewhere and was added to the Lord.

Any regrets?

None at all. As I read my Bible I am continually amazed as the truths that unfold themselves show me the greatness of God's house into which, by his grace, I've been brought. It's wonderful how things which I had no conception of when I first came into the Fellowship have now become clear. I thought at first that I knew most of what was involved, but I guess I knew very little. I'm saddened when people who have learned these things appear not to appreciate them.

Any advice?

I'm always wary of appearing to advise others, but from my own experience, I'd say to young readers in particular that they ought to get to know the Scriptures in their youth. If I had done that I could easily have destroyed some of the theories and arguments of subtle men that almost ruined my life.

One thing more. I believe it is important that we try hard to be in the right condition of heart to know the Lord's guidance. We can then leave it to Him and we shall recognize His guidance in retrospect.

Thank you for a very interesting talk.

R.I. Shaw in conversation with Roy Dickson | Oct 1984
General