The boy I am going to tell you about was what people call one of the best of boys. At home he was dutiful and affectionate to his parents, and always kindly considerate towards his younger brothers. At school there was never a complaint to be made against him his lessons were always well prepared, and he continually kept his place as first in his class. All this was a great pleasure to those about him, for it is well to see the young diligent in their work, and careful to obey those who are over them; and surely it is pleasing to God to see all this, for has He not said—
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might,” and that “the slothful shall be under tribute?”
Yet more than this is required to fit a soul to meet God and go to that happy home in heaven where all so much wish to be.
The boy of whom I am telling you knew this, and I will tell you what first made him feel it. A children’s meeting was held in the large schoolroom to which he went for his daily studies, and there he heard the gospel of God brought out in a way he had never heard it before.
It was God’s voice to him, and sank deeply into his young showing him that he had to stand in the presence of a holy God, and that all that looked so outwardly fair in the eyes of men, would not do to meet the eye of Him who reads even the very thoughts of our hearts.
Yes, dear children, He knows the thoughts of each one; and, as you read this story, He can tell you whether you are trusting to any goodness of your own, or if you have been brought, as this dear boy was, to see your own utter unfitness for His holy presence.
A few days after the meeting of which I have told you, when one of his teachers was speaking to him about Jesus, and his need of a Saviour, he exclaimed,
“I am going to hell, and I know it.”
God had shown him that he was a sinner, and he felt that he had nothing in himself that he could bring to God, and that it was “not by works of righteousness which we have done” that he could come to God. His good conduct did not blind him to this, and he knew that he was on “the broad road that leadeth to destruction.”
But, O, what a happy thought that God does not ask anything from us! He says, “I have found a ransom.” That ransom is the precious blood of the Lord Jesus which He shed on the cross, that all those who believe in Him might have their sins washed away, and be “whiter than snow.”
Then instead of only looking forward to a day of judgment, we can look up to God without a fear, knowing that Christ has done all, and that God is satisfied.
Have you, dear children, learned to trust this loving Saviour? or, are you still on that broad road? If the latter, do not go any further, but own your own helplessness, as did this dear boy. Come by simple faith to the Lord Jesus, and as certainly as you were lost, so certainly will you know that He has found you.
“Christ hath the ransom paid,
The wondrous work is done;
On Him our help is laid,
The victory is won.
Captivity is captive led
Since Jesus liveth who was dead.”
ML 04/19/1936