ANDREW HEYNS, of Cape Coast, Africa, was awarded a medal by King George for a very heroic deed.
His young nephew, John, was swimming in Mossel Bay. So thoroughly was he enjoying himself that he forgot there could be any danger in those waters.
Andrew was standing on shore, when to his awful dismay he saw the fin of a huge shark knifing through the waves and making for the boy. Without thinking twice he plunged into the water in hope of helping his nephew, though he knew it might mean death for both of them.
His long powerful strokes soon brought him to within reach of John and immediately he began to pull him to shore. The shark had disappeared temporarily, but again its terrible shape was seen making towards them. It had already severely bitten the boy’s left leg, and this time it took hold of his right foot.
Andrew pulled and struggled to liberate John in the faint hope of saving his life. With one last effort he succeeded, but John’s right foot and ankle were badly mangled. The shark disappeared beneath the waves, and the two made for shore. John had been conscious through it all, but when brought to shore he lapsed into unconsciousness and was taken to a hospital.
Dear young reader, have you ever seen the seriousness of your case, exposed as you are to even greater danger than John? What danger is that, you ask? The power of sin, lung, deceiving, and at last capturing its victim! “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin,” the Lord Jesu’s said (John 8:3434Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. (John 8:34)), and “the wages of sin is death.” (Rom. 6:32).
That monster shark brought terror and death. So does sin. It fills us with profound horror to think of this great monster, sin, dragging down its victims. Sin condemns us now. “He that believeth not is condemned already.” John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36); and if you are unforgiven upon earth it will bring you into eternal condemnation, for “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27). Such is one’s peril if out of Christ.
The Lord Jesus saw us in our desperate heed, and of His own voluntary will He came from heaven to rescue perishing sons of men. Not merely did He risk His life, but He gave His life a ransom for us (1 Tim. 2:66Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (1 Timothy 2:6)).
Listen again to the most wonderful words ever spoken: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).
John did nothing to save himself. He could not. He simply allowed his savior to do it all.
Such is God’s way of salvation. To strive to earn salvation and heaven is only an insult to the work of Christ. Just rest in simple faith on His almighty arms of love as He whispers to you, “I give unto [My sheep] eternal life, and they shall never perish.”
ML-04/25/1971