NOTHING like poaching to keep a man out of the kingdom of God," confessed an old man whose love for game often took him onto property where hunting and fishing were forbidden.
He had often heard the Word of God preached, and his heart had been touched under it at times, but he loved poaching and would not give it up. He was bound by the cords of sin which, according to his own words, kept him out of the kingdom of God.
How solemn! The poor old man in the end died in the poorhouse, and whether or not he ever was converted we never knew.
"I don't want to go to heaven yet," said a small boy I knew once, "because I have a new wagon." He has grown up now, but alas, is living in sin, a disgrace to himself and a sorrow to his friends. He too heard the Word often, but so far has not heeded it.
How sad to be kept out of the kingdom of God, to be content to stay here in this world of sin! The old man it seemed wished to be able to enter the kingdom of God, but was kept out by a trifle. The little boy did not wish to go to heaven, satisfied as he was with a trifle.
Dear reader, do you estimate the value of your soul in the light of eternity? Do you cling to some sin you love, although you know that if you keep on it will shut the door of heaven on you? Or are you so satisfied with some treasure of earth that you do not want to think of another world? How sad to miss all the blessings of the gospel, all the sunshine of the Father's house, for the sake of some trifle!
Surely the love of Christ, the Saviour, is better than trifles which though they might please for a moment, cannot satisfy the heart even in this life.
God speaks to us in His Word. He earnestly desires our eternal blessing. May we hear, believe, and live.
Messages of the Love of God 4/13/1975