It was exciting to receive an invitation to Mark’s birthday party. In just a few days some of the boys in Mrs. Lopez’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 math, reading, spelling and other lessons would never end. The boys were more interested in whispering about the fun planned at Mark’s house after school.
One of Mrs. Lopez’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, Jordan couldn’t go with them because he had to stay in school. In his excitement, he had disobeyed the “no talking in class” rule and was serving his detention.
God’s penalty for sin is far more severe— “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20). The Bible tells us that “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 in heaven. If you, a sinner, have never had your sins washed away by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be left behind.
Mrs. Lopez was kind and let Jordan go after about fifteen minutes, and he 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 3:9). He is still waiting for you now, but He is coming very soon—maybe even today. After He comes to take His own to heaven, you will have no more opportunity to be saved. Make sure that the Lord Jesus is your Saviour right now, so you won’t be left behind. Jordan had a second chance to go to Mark’s birthday party, but we cannot promise that you will have another chance to be saved.
“Now is the accepted time ... now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
ML-08/21/2011