Julie had just come home from Sunday school. It was a nice, sunny, summer day, and she was wearing a brand new dress. It was a pretty outfit, and she liked it very much. After lunch her mother advised her to change her clothes, but Julie didn’t want to. Instead, she decided to go for a walk in the field behind her house.
How many of you boys and girls have memorized this Bible verse? “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:2020Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)). This is God telling you to obey your parents. Do you? Children who don’t do what their parents’ tell them can never be sure everything will turn out okay. In Julie’s case, there was an unpleasant surprise awaiting her!
On a large stone out in the field, a huge snake lay motionless, sunning itself. Julie was just about to step on the stone when suddenly she saw the snake. She screamed and started running for home as fast as she could. But in her hurry, she tripped and fell flat on the rough ground. To her horror, the front of her dress was covered with dirt and green stains. Her pretty new dress was ruined.
Psalm 38:1818For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. (Psalm 38:18) explains what happened next: “I will be sorry for my sin.” Julie dreaded showing her mother her new dress. She was very sorry she hadn’t followed her mother’s advice to change into other clothes. She knew what she had done was wrong.
When we disobey our parents, it is sin. And sin has very unhappy results: “The wages of sin is [eternal] death; but 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)). If you belong to the Lord Jesus, you can tell Him about your sin and that you are sorry, and God says your sin is forgiven. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:99If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)). But if you don’t belong to the Lord Jesus, you will have to pay for your sin after you die, in that awful place called hell. Nobody wants to be sent there, and you don’t have to go there either, if you will come to the Lord Jesus now. Confess to Him that you are a sinner and want to have your sins washed away in His precious blood. He loves you and will gladly forgive every one of your sins. Then a place will be reserved for you in heaven. “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)).
If you are still in your sins, settle the matter with the Lord Jesus right now!
ML-09/13/2009