Fred and his sister Lee liked adventures. It seemed as if they were always going off by themselves to have fun. Sometimes their fun was a little dangerous. Fred and Lee planned one of these adventures while they were on vacation with their parents at their cabin in the mountains.
The cabin was right beside a large lake that had many islands and only a few other cabins. The family had two small motor boats. Fred and Lee, although young, were allowed to drive around the lake in one of the boats. This boat was aluminum with a wide, flat bottom, so it would not tip over easily.
One particular night Fred and Lee decided to go out for a boat ride after dark. They turned on the red and green lights in the front of the boat, pulled the starter cord, and sped happily away from the dock. On the open lake they turned the throttle up to full speed. With the boat bouncing over the waves and the wind whipping through their hair, it almost felt like they were flying!
There are people today who, like Fred and Lee, are rushing through this world, having lots of fun and not giving any thought to what might be ahead. The Bible describes these people as “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” 2 Timothy 3:44Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (2 Timothy 3:4). Are you one of these people? You may be even if you don’t think you are. The Bible also says, “the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:44In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4). If you have not accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you are included with those who are “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” Satan has blinded your mind so that you are not aware of your condition before God.
This is a matter that you should settle right away. You may think that everything is going along pretty well in your life... but there is danger ahead! If you should die without accepting the Lord Jesus as your own Saviour, you will spend eternity in hell with the devil and his angels. But God loves you and does not want this to happen. He wants to have you in heaven with Himself. So He has provided a way of escape—the only way of escape. In His great love He gave His only Son, the Lord Jesus, to be punished on the cross so that we sinners could be saved. If you see yourself as a sinner with no hope of escape, God has the answer for you. Turn to the Lord Jesus, believe that He died on the cross for your sins, and He will give you everlasting life. Why not accept Him as your Saviour right now and have it settled?
For a while Fred and Lee drove happily around the lake. They were careful to avoid the lighted buoys which marked where the rocks were, although Fred enjoyed getting as close as he could without hitting the rocks, As they rounded the last island before returning to the cabin, the motor sputtered... then stalled.
“We’re out of gas!” Fred shouted.
Lee shined the flashlight on the gas tank and checked the gauge. “No, we’re not," she answered.
So Fred stood up and began yanking the starter cord again, but the motor only sputtered a few times and would not start.
The wind was blowing harder now, and Lee seized the oars to keep the boat from hitting the rocks near the island. Across the blackness of the lake they could see a path of light from the Coleman lantern on their dock. But both Fred and Lee doubted that they could row that far in the strong wind. Each time they pushed the boat out away from the rocks, the waves carried them right back in again. Frightened and discouraged, Fred and Lee shouted over and over for help and even blew the boat horn, but no one came.
Finally, worn out from rowing and shouting, they decided to try the motor one more time. Once more Lee pushed frantically with the oars, moving them out a little from the rocks, and Fred lowered the motor into the water. Opening the gas flow all the way, he pulled the starter cord with all his might. The motor roared to life! Fred swung the boat around and headed for the light on the dock.
Ten minutes later Fred and Lee, tired but relieved, were climbing out of the boat safely onto their dock.
Fred and Lee were able to help themselves, but you cannot do anything to save yourself. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy. He saved us.” Titus 3:55Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5). Anything you try to do will not help. There is only one way that you can escape the punishment for your sins—accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour.
ML-01/08/1984