BUT how am I to know that when Jesus died, He died for me?"
This question was asked by a little boy named Freddy.
"Supposing God had written a text in the Bible which said that Jesus died for Freddy, would you know then?" was the reply.
"O yes, Miss R—, I should; I wish that He had done so," Freddy answered with a very bright look.
"But there are many other Freddys in the world; how would you know that God was speaking of you?"
The bright look faded, and tears filled his eyes as he answered,
"O, so there are many other. Freddys, how then can I know?"
The earnestness of the manner in which the question was asked, made his governess look up silently to the Lord for special wisdom before answering little Freddy's question.
"Well, Freddy," she said, "God has called us all by one name, and those who are really willing to take that name before Him, He has said that Jesus died for those people."
"What is that name, Miss R—?"
"Sinners, Freddy," was the reply. "You are only a child, yet you have done many things that God calls sins, and therefore you are a sinner, and need to be washed from those sins by Jesus before He can have you in heaven with Him.
The great Apostle Paul called himself the chief of sinners, yet he could say that Jesus loved him and gave Himself for him. Shall I tell you a little verse about this? He said,
"Who was it Paul said loved him, and gave Himself for him? It was Jesus the Son of God, He was God, as well as man, and was perfect and holy, so had no sins to die for of His own. I could not die for you, Freddy, because I am a sinner too, and deserve to be punished for my own sins. But if we go to God and ask Him to save us for Jesus' sake, He will tell you that Jesus has died instead of you."
"Yes, I will," said Freddy, "and I am going to say that text to God tonight,
`Jesus loved me, and gave Himself for me!' I wish you would print that text for me, Miss R____; will you please?"
So while little Freddy was peacefully sleeping, the text was roughly printed on a piece of cardboard and hung beside his bed,
THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME.
From that day Freddy constantly spoke of the verse as "his text."
Perhaps some little reader of this incident may have often thought,
"Yes, I know that Jesus died, but I am not sure that He died for me." Will you not put your finger by faith on "Freddy's text" and say,
"I know I am a sinful child, but Jesus the Son of God loved sinners, and gave Himself for them, therefore for me."
He knew how wicked man had been, And knew that God must punish sin, So out of pity Jesus said,
"I'll bear the punishment instead."
Messages of God’s Love 8/17/1930