Emily was a lively three-year-old who was always running. She was not, however, quick to obey. A command to “stop” or “come here” often made her want to do just the opposite, with a teasing laugh.
One day a friend of the family took her to a hotel which had a pretty fountain inside that changed colors. There were many other interesting things to see there too, and it was an exciting new world to the little girl. Emily ran here and there, and seeing a lovely patio outside, she made a dash for it.
Her friend, realizing that the little girl might not see that there were sparkling-clean, sliding glass doors onto the patio, called, “Emily, stop! Stop right now!”
But Emily only giggled and ran faster.
THUD! Down she went! Oh, how her head hurt, and how she cried. Now all her fun was over, and she had a big red bump rising on her head to show for failing to obey.
Are you thinking that she was a foolish little girl not to obey? Yes, she was. But are you any wiser? Do you laugh when you hear warnings about Satan’s lies and the punishment ahead for sinners? The Bible clearly tells us that “the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:44Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. (Ezekiel 18:4)). “The wages of sin is death” (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)). “Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” (Ezekiel 33:1111Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11)).
By nature, none of us likes to obey. But a person who does not learn to obey will always have trouble. It is only when we listen to God’s command to repent of our sins and turn to Him that we can be forgiven. And oh, how He wants to forgive us! He is a loving, giving, gracious God who punished His beloved Son, Jesus, so that He would be able to wipe clean our awful record of sins. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:1818Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)).
Emily suffered the consequences for not obeying. Will you obey God? or will you suffer the awful consequences?
ML-04/10/2005