“What kind of children does God love?” said a teacher one day to his class.
“Good children!” — “Good children!” was the answer of several voices.
The teacher was silent. The children saw that he did not think the answer correct and knew not what to say.
“My dear children,” said he, “the Bible teaches us that “there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Rom. 3:1212They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Romans 3:12).) This applies to children as well as to grown people. No one then, young or old, can God love or will God save because of their being good.”
“Then how can we be saved?” asked a little girl in his class.
“We can be saved,” said the teacher, “as bad children, as sinners. Remember that Jesus Christ — “came not to call the righteous” — those who think themselves good — “but sinners” those who know and feel themselves bad — “to repentance,” and salvation. Remember, too, that “Christ died for the ungodly.” (Rom. 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6).) What the Bible teaches is, that God loves bad children, and will save them if they believe in Jesus.”
“O! I’m so glad,” said one little girl, as she burst into tears. “I know I’m bad.” And so she first began to learn the lesson of God’s love for sinners. The Lord Jesus said,
“I come not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:3232I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:32). Again, “it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one”; but now the righteousness of God is “unto all and upon all them that believe.” Rom. 3:10, 2210As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Romans 3:10)
22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans 3:22).
ML 02/01/1959