And as he was speaking I thought of three reasons why it WAS important. But as I had gone to listen to the preacher I waited until I reached home before following up my own thoughts, and now I am putting them down for you, dear boys and girls, to share with me.
The FIRST of the three reasons is that we ALL NEED A Savior, and JESUS, by whom and for whom all things were created, is that Savior.
He came into the world which He had created on purpose to save sinners, and the Holy Scriptures tell us that ALL HAVE SINNED, and come short of the glory of God, and that is why we all need a Savior.
The SECOND REASON is that JESUS is THE ONLY Savior.
No one has done for us what Jesus has done. He laid down His life for us; He died for our sins.
But why should He do this? Why should He die for us? I wonder whether you can say what another once said:
O Savior, I have naught to plead
In earth beneath nor heaven above,
But just my own exceeding need,
And THY exceeding LOVE!
Yes, it was LOVE, wonderful, wonderful love, that caused Jesus to die for our sins. And oh, what a death He died! A death of cruelty and shame on mount Calvary, where He was crucified between two malefactors, and all that for you and for me!
THE THIRD REASON is that JESUS is WILLING TO SAVE.
The scripture says, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved," and JESUS, who is the LORD, said Himself, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out."
I love to think of this: Jesus wants you! Perhaps no one else wants you, but Jesus does. We used to sing:
"Jesus wants you, won't you trust Him?
He will save you NOW - TO-DAY."
Jesus is no longer on the cross. He is not in the grave. He is now crowned with glory and honor.
"Able, willing, waiting now to save." And He is soon coming to take all His own to be forever with Himself.
"REMEMBER NOW THY CREATOR IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH."
N-O-W
W-O-N
O-W-N
Remember thy Creator NOW,
While in the days of youth.
With contrite heart before Him bow,
And seek the ways of truth.
Think much of what He did that you
With Him might have your part,
And pray, "Lord, keep me ever true
To love that WON my heart.
And give me boldness day by day,
Thy worthy name to OWN,
That someone else may learn to say,
Lord, I am Thine alone."
W. L.