A NUMBER of boys were amusing themselves in the bright sunny playground. Some were standing in groups talking, some working in their gardens, and others engaged in swinging; while the teacher in charge went from one to another sharing in their interests, and seeing that all was right. Thus time passed swiftly and pleasantly, nor did any one dream of what a sudden gloom was to be thrown over the whole scene.
All at once every one was startled by a loud scream, and looking quickly in the direction of the sound, saw Henry, a little boy of eight years old, lying stunned on the ground, while the blood flowed from a fearful gash in his forehead.
How had it happened ? One moment before all was peace and happiness, and now what a change! All brought about by each seeking his own way and his own pleasure, instead of considering one another and yielding one to another. Henry was one on the swing and an elder boy wished it; but neither would give way, and a struggle followed, and Henry the younger was overpowered and knocked down. His companion, seeing what his own selfishness had brought about, and now no longer caring for his own pleasure, looked on, awe-struck at what had happened.
Thus it always is, dear children. Sin in whatever form, whether in selfishness or anything else, must have its consequences, and sad consequences too.
You may say, "But I never did such an unkind and cruel thing as that!" Just let me ask you, Have you never sought to have your own way at the expense of others ?
Have you not often resisted the wish and desire of your parents for you ? Have you always been affectionate and yielding to your brothers and sisters or companions ? Considering them and not yourself, and being kind to them, as you ought?
If you have not, self has had the first place with you, and it led to no happy results, causing often sorrow, and bringing you under punishment, if not something serious and hurtful to others, as was the case with the boys I have told you about.
Besides, it does not do to excuse yourself, or to think lightly about such things, for God says, "The wages of sin is death," and each one of you must have to do with God about his own sins, either now in a day of grace, or by-and-bye, when He who now offers pardon to all who come to Him, is seated as Judge on the great white throne.
But let us stop and ask, Who is it that is now waiting to save? Dear children, it is Jesus the Son of God, the Creator of heaven and earth. He came down into this world, not to do His own will, but the will of Him who sent Him. He went about doing good in spite of all the hatred He met with from those He came to bless. At last He laid down His life on the cross, that all who come to Him might have their sins washed away in that precious blood, which alone can cleanse and make fit for the presence of a Holy God. He has borne the judgment that you might be saved.
But it will not do to stop here, for "He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them and rose again."
Yes, those who are now redeemed must seek to please the Lord Jesus in everything. Whatever they are doing, it should be done for Him and to Him, and God tells us to let our yieldingness be known, and that we are to "consider one another, to provoke unto love, and to good works."
Were these boys of whom I have told you, thinking of this ? Ah! no, they were thinking of pleasing themselves, and not of yielding to one another.
It was not so with the Lord Jesus, for we read that "even Christ pleased not Himself." Surely when He has done so much for us, it ought to be our joy to follow Him and serve Him.
May you, my dear children, learn first to trust this loving Saviour, and then seek to live to His glory.
O, may I try to follow,
His footsteps here below;
Who never will forget me,
Because He loved me so."
Messages of God’s Love 10/21/1928