Paul sat in his room, repeating silent prayers and holding his bible tight to his chest. He was not surprised when a voice he knew all too well sounded from behind him.
"That's useless you know."
Paul didn't turn around, and continued his prayer.
"You think that will do anything? You that that will change your situation? Why do you worship a God who would put you through this?"
"I love Him, and He loves me. There is no better reason," responded Paul, clutching his bible closer.
"Ha! Love? What you share with Isabella is love. All your God has ever done for you is taunt you with what you can't have. If you want happiness, reach out and take it."
"'it is better to lose one part of your body than for you whole body to be thrown into hell," Paul quoted to the man behind him.
"You're going to quote that old relic? It's a collection of fairy tales made by an ancient civilization. It's a useless old book that holds no weight in a modern society."
"It's the word of God, but then, you wouldn't know that would you? All you ever do is resist Him, what do you know of God?"
"You're so naive. It's not ignorance that dictates my resistance, but intelligence. You choose to sit here and pray, while you could be out enjoying life, like every other twenty year old out there. What good will prayer do anyway?"
Paul turned around to face the man, who was leaning against Paul's desk. The man's lavish Italian suit never ceased to amaze him.
"Prayer is my connection to God. Prayer is what makes me who I am. Prayer is what saves me from myself."
The man narrowed his calculating eyes and smiled knowingly. He sat down in the chair by Paul's computer, and visibly relaxed.
"If salvation was your goal, you've already failed. Aren't you forgetting a passage only a few lines before the one you just quoted? Jesus said himself that 'anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart'. How many times have you looked at Isabella in that way? How many times have you committed adultery with her in your heart? Face it Paul, you're not a good person, you're a sinner."
Paul felt his blood run cold, remembering all the times he had mentally envisioned undressing his girlfriend. He began to rub his hands together as he usually did when uncomfortable.
"I can still be saved! I just need to pray more. I just need to make things right. Those are small sins, God can forgive me for that."
The man noticed Paul's reaction and pressed his advantage.
"You're weak Paul. It's only a matter of time until you break and just give in. He isn't pleased with you Paul, so don't act like you're innocent. You sin daily, and most of the time don't even notice. If you aren't perfect, don't try to be. Just be who you are, and give in."
"No!" Paul shouted, horrified at the thought that part of him was agreeing with what the man had said. "Christ calls us to forgive each other for even the worst crimes. It would be hypocritical for Him not to do the same for us. I know I'm not perfect, but scripture tells me I can overcome that with God."
"Scripture? The bible is an outdated piece of ancient history. Why follow what it says? Why be a slave to God, when you could just do what would makes you happy? Really Paul, stop being childish and join the real world. Just have sex with the girl like every other normal guy in college would do. What is the worst thing that can happen if you make love to Isabella?"
"I would be betraying my God. I would be choosing pleasure over Him, and defying every commandment against sexual immorality."
"Immorality?" The man responded, "Who says what immorality is? Immorality is a fictitious concept, made up by organizations to control people. Look what your strict code of morals has done for the world. Think about everyone who died in the crusades and the Spanish inquisition, while Christians hunted down immorality. Think about all of the scientific progress that could have been made if people like Galileo hadn't been suppressed by Christians and their fake morality."
Paul turned away from the well dressed man before him and put his hand on his forehead. The man seemed so calm and collected. Paul felt outmatched, and part of him urged that he just give in, and forget this whole business of Christianity.
"That was the Catholic Church. I'm not a Catholic, I'm a Protestant."
The man laughed.
"That's your excuse? Ever heard of the Anabaptists? The Calvinists? Christian history is riddled with violence and corruption. Why listen to those who are obviously only interested in controlling you and your behavior?"
"That doesn't matter! I'm going to follow Christ whether people in the past have or not. I don't care how corrupt Christians have been, I can be better than them. I can overcome my sins with Christ's help," Said Paul, turning back to the man. Working up his courage, he stared right into his adversaries eyes. They were cold and emotionless, but at the same time had a terrifying intelligence to them.
"Can you?" he responded, "Even with your precious Christ, you are still weak. You will sleep with her eventually, and thus will seal your fate. Sinning is in your nature, and yet still you resist. Why do you do it? It's not going to help."
Paul sat for a moment on his bed, and looked down in deep thought. He was ready to make up his mind. He said a silent prayer, and felt The Holy Spirit fill him. He felt its warmth permeate his every cell, and knew that this was his moment of truth. Paul stood up, setting his bible gently on the bed. Once again, he looked the man directly in the eyes, but this time with a new confidence.
"He beat you."
"What are talking about?"
"Christ. He fought against you and won. He did what man cannot. He overcame sin."
"What's your point? Christ can do whatever the hell he wants, that doesn't change who you are."
"Yes it does!" Paul shouted joyously. "Christ died for me, and for every other sinner like me. You don't scare me, because you have no power over God. With The Lord as my savior, you can't touch me."
"Nonsense, I can do whatever I want."
"You're pathetic. Get the hell out of my dorm."
"I'll be back," said the man, biting his lip.
"I know. I'll be ready."
With that the man left, simply vanishing into thin air. Paul let out a sigh of relief, and laid back on his bed. He felt the joy of victory, and for the first time since he got to college, things made sense. He picked up his phone, speed dialed his girlfriend, and told her his plan to stay celibate until marriage. Afterwards, he said a prayer of thanks, and went to sleep feeling better than he ever had. Paul was reborn.
