Dear Children,
I want to tell you about a litter of nine puppies that were born to a mama dog that belongs to our niece. The puppies looked like little teddy bears, so we called them the teddy bear puppies. They were so roly-poly and cute, but I am sad to tell you there was something wrong with one of the puppies.
“Grampa, what was wrong with the puppy?”
Before I tell you about it, I want to say something about each one of us. We read in the holy Bible, God’s Word, that you and I were born in sin and that we have a sinful nature. You see, children, our first parents, Adam and Eve, when they lived in the Garden of Eden, sinned against God when they disobeyed Him. And so now it is very easy for us to sin by being disobedient, telling lies, stealing, cheating, saying bad words and other things we do. We know it is wrong to sin, but we do it just the same. Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23) tells us very clearly that “all have sinned,” so every single one of us is guilty—every one of us has something wrong—SIN.
Now I’ll tell you about the puppy that had a problem. When the animal doctor looked at all the puppies one by one, he discovered that one puppy was blind in one eye. Gramma and I couldn’t tell which puppy had a blind eye, because they all looked the same to us, except for their different colors. They played together and ate together. They did not understand that one of them couldn’t see out of one eye. But my niece knows the puppies so well that she knows exactly which one of these puppies has the blind eye, just by looking at them. But you and I wouldn’t be able to know just by looking at them.
Children, we do not look at ourselves the same way that God sees us. He looks right down into our hearts! The Bible tells us in 1 Samuel 16:77But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7), “The Lord [sees] not as man [sees]; for man [looks] on the outward appearance, but the Lord [looks] on the heart.” He knows whose heart is still full of sin and whose heart has been cleansed from sin.
“But, Grampa, what will happen to the puppy with the blind eye? Would anybody want it?”
Well, I have very good news for you. That little puppy was already promised to a good home where it is loved and cared for. I know that will make you happy, and it made Gramma and me very happy as well.
Children, listen closely now. Do you and I have any right to be in that happy place called heaven where there is no sin? No, we do not! Our sins will keep us out! But our Father in heaven loves us so much that He sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to a place called Calvary. And on that cross at Calvary, the Lord Jesus Christ gave His lifeblood for you and me! Galatians 2:2020I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) says, “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” He paid the price to cleanse us from our sins so that we can be in heaven, and He wants us there with Himself. Will you be the boy or girl who will believe that Jesus died for your sins and accept Him as your very own Saviour today? Remember what 2 Corinthians 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2) tells us: “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Boys and girls, will I see you in heaven someday? I surely will if your sins are gone.
Lots of love from Grampa
ML-02/28/2010