When we were young my brother Bob and I used to have a lot of fun on the way to and from school. Our route was through a country lane about a mile long. There was not a house to be seen along the way and very seldom a policeman. We used to run through the woods, climb the trees, pick the flowers along the side of the lane and enjoy ourselves to our heart’s content.
One morning as we were starting out for school as usual, we noticed a big new sign which read, “No Trespassing.” This meant that we must keep to the road and no longer were we allowed to climb the trees or pick the flowers.
No sooner had we read the sign than we wanted to disobey the warning. On our way home from school we threw stones at that sign board, but it stood firm. Each day we threw stones and even mud at it, until finally we could hardly read the words at all. We were like hundreds of people who dislike the solemn warnings of the Bible and who resent or avoid anyone or anything that might bring the Word of the Lord home to their consciences.
One morning we noticed that the farmer who owned the fields had set up a new sign with the same big black letters, “No Trespassing.” This time we climbed over the hedge, pulled up the sign, post and all, and then ran away as fast as we could. However, we were not to get away with our mischief. The farmer had been watching. He quickly gave chase and caught up with us. He went right to the principal of our school, and Bob and I were punished for our misdeeds.
Young though we were, we should have had the sense to know that we could not get rid of the law by pulling up the sign. And yet how many there are, boys and girls and older folks too, who think that they can insult God and escape judgment by getting rid of His Word and by running away from Him.
Bob and I ran for a mile, but some have been running away for years from the God whom they have wronged. How foolish this is! No one can escape Him; “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether good or bad.” 2 Cor. 5:1010For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10).
The wonder of it all is that the God the sinner is running away from is One who loves him. Instead of wanting to punish him, God wants to save and bless him.
If you are one of those who are trying to get away from God, dear reader, know this, that God loves you, and if you will but turn to Him in true repentance, He will forgive you. He gave His own dear Son to die upon the cross for you, and His precious blood cleanses from all sin.
Do not stay away from Him any longer, but turn to Him now and you will find in Him a Saviour-God. Instead of death He will give you life eternal life, and in the place of your fear, peace and eternal happiness.
ML-11/14/1976