I THINK I hear some of my readers say, “What a strange family, and how happily they are dwelling together seeing there are so many different kinds of animals!”
First let us tell the names of them all: there is a terrier dog, a monkey, a lop-eared rabbit, a guinea pig, a white cat, a weasel, two rats, two wild rabbits, an owl, a jackdaw, a hawk and a jacobin pigeon. No doubt you wonder why the dog does not attack the rats, and the weasel the rabbits, and the cat the pigeon. The reason is, they have been trained to live peaceably together, and I expect their teacher has often to take the cane to them.
Even little children and grown up people, too, have trouble together, and why is it? It is because of sin in the nature, and wrought upon by Satan, who is the “prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” Eph. 2:22Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (Ephesians 2:2). But let us remember that that ugly, quarrelsome and disobedient spirit can be kept under by the rod, and we should be thankful when we are corrected, as it leads us into paths of peace and happiness. So the Scripture says, “Foolishness is bound in the heart of the child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” Prov. 22:1515Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. (Proverbs 22:15). Again,
Now I expect that none of you who read these lines, would like to be called a fool; so, if not, you must not despise instruction.
There is another thing I would like to tell you—that that nature even when brought into subjection and obedience, by the rod or the word of God, is not fit for God, and that is the reason “God sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him.” Jno. 4:99Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. (John 4:9).
God in His infinite love gave His Son, and it is only through Him, we can have eternal life. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36). It is that life that alone can bear fruit to God, and by which we can please Him.
May you, dear children, be willing to take correction and live in obedience; but remember that you cannot be suitable for God, without accepting Jesus as the One whom God hath sent to die in your place and that you might live through Him.
ML 01/31/1904