ONE Sunday afternoon one of God’s sowers went forth to sow the word of truth into the hearts of his little scholars. He sowed in faith and believed that God would bless it.
“Trust the Saviour’s precious blood first,” he said, “then try to please Him. for He has a work for all who trust in Him, and His holy name.” His words fell on the hearts of four little girls who meant to do as he said, trust first and try after; but only one succeeded.
Little Amy knew that she must have faith first, for, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” She knelt by her little bed and asked to be forgiven for Jesus’ sake, and made one of His little servants. Her prayer was real, and that is what God loves.
Reality for Christ is a living reality.
Her little friends soon noticed the change in her, and as they did not possess the same faith, they made fun of her, but afterwards asked her if she would tell them why she was always so gentle and loving and did not get angry.
Her answer was very real, “Because I first trusted in Jesus, and then tried to please Him.” The little girls were very much struck by the answer, for they had tried first, and not trusted, which they found was useless.
One Sunday afternoon their teacher spoke of the beautiful path of faith in Jesus which is open to all who will believe and be saved. These little ones soon told “teacher” they longed to be saved, and he told them to believe and then confess their sin to Jesus, who would forgive them and take them into His service, to be used of Him and bear fruit to His glory.
They did believe, and made their teacher’s heart rejoice, for now he saw that his labor had not been in vain.
Dear children, you will see by this that it is useless to begin by pleasing God by your deeds of righteousness, for you have none. For we are all as an unclean thing, and our righteousness as filthy rags: but the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanseth us from all sin.
ML 05/12/1918