Mrs. Mills enjoyed teaching school and watching her students learn. But she had a student in her fourth grade class who refused to pay attention. Brian was not learning and was in danger of not passing to the fifth grade. He thought having a good time was more important than learning. The result was that Brian did not have his homework assignments done on time, and only once in a while could he answer questions correctly in class.
I wonder if there are any boys or girls reading this story who are like Brian when it comes to the Word of God. Perhaps you have never paid enough attention to the Bible to find out that God wrote it because He has a very important message for you. When you read the Bible or listen to it being read, do you learn what God wants you to know?
One very important thing to learn is that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)). If we have displeased God even once, we are sinners. Every time we try to hide something we are doing, we are hiding it because we know it is wrong. Hasn’t this happened to you? It proves that God is right when He says, “All have sinned.”
Another important thing to learn is that the result of sin is death. God explains that this death means to be put in a place of awful sorrow and suffering in complete darkness forever, never to be allowed into heaven. Just as Brian’s refusal to pay attention was about to result in his failing to pass into the fifth grade, our refusal to pay attention to the Bible may result in our missing heaven.
Most important of all, we learn that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)). God loves us so much He gave His Son Jesus to die for sinners like us. Any sinner who believes in Him will not perish but will have everlasting life. Have you ever admitted to God that you are a sinner? God is willing to forgive anyone who will admit to Him that he is a sinner and will believe that Jesus died for his sins.
Are you wondering what happened to Brian? Here is the rest of the story. Because Mrs. Mills’ class was ahead of schedule in their workbooks, she arranged for them to have the first hour of each day, for a week, to play a game in the gym. When she made the announcement Friday afternoon, Brian was reading a comic book which he had carefully hidden inside his schoolbook. He was so interested in his comic book that he didn’t hear anything Mrs. Mills said.
Monday morning arrived and Brian found himself alone in the classroom, alone except for Mrs. Mills. Hoping to teach him a lesson she said, “Because you chose not to listen in class, you are in here by yourself and not in the gym with the rest of the class. Now you will come to class each morning the rest of this week and write for an hour, instead of going to the gym. It is important to pay attention.”
I only hope Brian learned his lesson. His punishment only lasted a week, but the punishment for sin is forever! It will never end! Learn a lesson from Brian - pay attention to the Word of God that says, “Now is the day of salvation” (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)). Admit to God that you are a sinner and that you want Jesus as your Saviour, and He will save you from the results of sin and death. “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)).
ML-04/18/1999