ll in their places for their weekly practice. Each player felt either somewhat nervous or somewhat confident, for the conductor was a man who expected the best from his students. They had had all week to practice their music at home, and now he was ready, baton in hand, to hear them
play together.
Dave’s home practice had been less than normal that week; in fact, it had been zero. There had been so many more interesting things to do that his violin had not been out of its case all week. As a result, the notes of the music were still new to him, and now he faced the man who knew the music well and could hear a wrong note instantly. What was going to happen?
Maybe you don’t play in an orchestra, but you have your own tests and exams, and perhaps you know how it feels not to be ready. Often you might be either embarrassed or lose out on something important. But your biggest test is yet to come. God tells us that after death we will face judgment (Hebrews 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)). When you face that moment of God’s judgment, you can’t be sent back to live your life over. God is not only a faithful and fair Judge, but He loves you very much. For this reason, He is warning you now of what’s coming, so you can be prepared.
Thankfully, there is good news for you before that judgment! God, who will one day have to judge you, loves you and sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die for you so that you might have your sins forgiven and one day be welcomed to His home in heaven. But this offer must be believed and accepted NOW. It is only offered to sinners. The Bible tells us “all have sinned” (Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)). So, since we are all sinners, we may all accept this wonderful offer of mercy.
Dave was not feeling sorry that he had not done his assignment. Not at all. He just had a plan so that he would not be found out. He tucked his violin under his chin just as all the others did, and he stroked the bow in perfect time to the music — just a tiny fraction of an inch above the strings. The bow made no contact with the strings, so not one wrong note was heard. In fact, there was no sound at all from his violin. No one could accuse him of playing a wrong note!
However, the very sharp conductor seemed to detect a problem. He listened carefully, as he always did. If he heard a wrong note, it wasn’t coming from Dave! First the conductor asked half the players to be silent while the others played. Then he asked just a small group to play alone. Finally, he asked just Dave and one other player to play together. Dave’s silent violin was detected by everyone. His plan didn’t work. How embarrassed he must have been!
You might think you can hide your sin from God. You can’t! The Bible says, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:2323But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out. (Numbers 32:23)). And, if you hope you can escape from God’s judgment on your sins, don’t wait until you die to find out! You won’t be able to. And it will be too late when you come to God’s judgment to have another chance. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:27-2827And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:27‑28)). Accept the free gift of eternal life He offers, and know you will be
safe forever.
Messages of God’s Love 1/10/2021