It was exciting to receive an invitation to Mark’s birthday party. In just a few days some of the boys in Miss Doll’s third-grade class were supposed to go to Mark’s house after school for a game of football and some cake and ice cream.
When Mark’s birthday finally came it seemed as if the arithmetic, reading, spelling and other lessons would never end. The boys were more interested in whispering about the fun planned for after school.
One of Miss Doll’s schoolroom rules was, “no talking in class.” One penalty for breaking the rule was to be kept after school. This is called a detention.
When the bell rang at 3:30 to dismiss school that day, I could only watch the group of boys walk down Glenmont Avenue toward Mark’s house. I couldn’t go with them because I had to stay in school. In my excitement I had disobeyed the “no talking in class” rule and was serving my detention.
God’s penalty for sin is far more severe— “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezek. 18:2020The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. (Ezekiel 18:20). The Bible tells us that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23). He is coming soon to take all the boys and girls and men and women whose sins have been washed away, to be with Himself. If you, a sinner, have never had your sins washed away by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be left behind.
Miss Doll was kind and let me go after about 15 minutes, and I ran all the way to Mark’s house, getting there in time for most of the birthday party. The football game had just started.
Accept the Lord Jesus right now so you won’t be left behind when He comes again. “The Lord ... is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:99The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9). He is still waiting for you now, but He is coming very soon—maybe even today. After He comes for His own, you will have no more opportunity to be saved. Make sure that the Lord Jesus is your Saviour so you won’t be left behind. We cannot promise that you will have a second chance to be saved, as I had to go to Mark’s birthday party.
ML-10/07/1984