Teena was a lively two-year-old who was always running. She was not, however, quick to obey. A command to “stop” or “come here” was more often a challenge to do just the opposite with a teasing laugh.
One day a friend of the family took her to a beautiful hotel which had a lovely fountain inside that changed colors. There were many other interesting things to see too. It was an exciting, new world to the little girl. Teena ran here and there, and seeing a lovely patio outside, she made a dash for it.
Her friend, realizing that the little girl might not be acquainted with sparkling-clean, sliding glass doors (which were closed), called, “Teena, stop! Stop right now!”
But Teena only laughed and ran faster. Thud! Down she went! Oh, how her head hurt! Now all her fun was ruined, and she had an ugly bump rising on her head to show for failing to obey. At least her lesson was learned with a glass door and not a speeding car.
Are you thinking, “foolish Teena"? Are you any wiser? Do you laugh when you hear warnings about Satan’s lies and the punishment ahead for sinners? “The soul that sinneth, it shall die,” we read in Ezekiel 18:44Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. (Ezekiel 18:4). “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23). “Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” Ezekiel 33:1111Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11).
Naturally, none of us likes to obey. But a person who fails to obey will always have trouble. It is only when we listen to God’s command to repent of our sins and turn to Him that we can be forgiven. And oh, how He longs to do us good! He is a loving, giving, gracious God who punished His precious Son, Jesus, so that He might be able to wipe clean our awful record of sins. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Isaiah 1:1818Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18).
ML-05/22/1988