Sorely it grieves the heart to hear of one who, professing to know the way of truth, yet walks in the paths of covetousness and falsehood. That one with a degree in theology should confess that his interest is in whatever brings him money reveals a soul that has not yet tasted the grace of God in truth. Such a confession, if it be true, is but a sad confession indeed, for it betrays a heart that loves the world and the things of the world, and the love of the Father is not in him.
But we bless God that the vilest sinner may yet be turned, and that repentance is not a thing to be wrought by man’s own strength, but is the gift of the exalted Saviour. You do well to pray for him. Ask of the Lord Jesus that He would grant him repentance unto life, not a carnal sorrow for the consequences of his sin, nor a mere terror of judgment, but that godly sorrow which worketh a change of mind and heart, and which leads him to confess his wrong and forsake it. True repentance will give God the glory; it will not be content with a vague “I have sinned,” but will, by the Holy Spirit’s enlightenment, own the specific evil, if he knew of those electrical hazards and concealed them, then let him humble himself and admit the truth before God and man. Yet remember, the full confession of the details of sin belongs to God alone; to his fellow-creature he need but acknowledge the wrong and make restitution as he is able. Let not your own soul be chafed by his refusal to speak; commit the matter to Him who judgeth righteously.
Let your prayers for him be full of mercy. Think upon the goodness of God which leads to repentance. The Lord does not drive men to Himself as with a whip of judgment, but draws them with cords of love. Pray that the Holy Spirit would purify his heart, that he may see the filthiness of his sin, not only its danger, and turn to Christ with true faith. For remember, repentance and faith go hand in hand; any supposed repentance that keeps a man from Christ is a repentance that needs itself to be repented of. May he look away from his own profit and see the bleeding love of Jesus, who though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor. Then shall his intellectual knowledge of theology be made living, and his silver and gold be as dross compared to the unsearchable riches of Christ.
As for the other who turns away and will not answer, pray likewise that his conscience may be awakened. But let not your own heart be poisoned with bitterness. If they have wronged you, bear it as unto the Lord, for “vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.” It is a blessed thing to return good for evil, and to pray for them that despitefully use you. In so doing, you may heap coals of fire upon their heads, and God may grant them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.
Let us pray that this man’s heart may be broken, for a broken heart is the only whole heart before God. When the Holy Spirit works, that man who made money his god will count all but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. And if he knew of those life-threatening hazards and kept silent, then a true repentance will move him to speak, not for your vindication only, but for the glory of God, that truth may shine. But if he remains stubborn, be not thou dismayed; the Lord reigneth, and He shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.
I would close with this thought: The same grace that can melt that stone-cold heart is sufficient for all your own needs. Look to Jesus, who ever liveth to make intercession, and leave those who have wronged you in His hands. Cry to Him, “God be merciful to me a sinner,” and in that prayer you shall find peace, even while you continue to plead for others.