A group of young girls, employees in the same store, might have been seen one day in busy conversation. They seemed very happy and full of interest – all but one of the number – for there was to be “a show” that evening, and they were expecting to attend it: this formed the exciting theme. The one alluded to, listened in silence to the gleeful conversation of the others. Presently one of them addressed her; “Aren’t you going this evening?”
“No,” she quietly replied, “I do not go to such things.”
“And why not?”
“Because I am a Christian,” was her reply.
And now came a chorus of voices: “I’m a Christian”; “And I’m a Christian”; “and I’m one, too”; “And we go to dances, and such things”; “We’ve no notion of laying ourselves on the shelf yet awhile.”
From the dear Christian girl came the quiet rejoinder, “God says in His Word that we can not serve two masters; we cannot serve God and mammon.”
“But won’t you go this evening?”
“No: the Bible says we should “seek those things which are above.”‘
Was not this a happy testimony for a child in Christ to bear? This dear girl was not ashamed of the “gospel of Christ.” Her companions might laugh at her, but after deep exercise of soul, she had found Jesus as her Savior; and now His approval was more to her than the smiles of the world; and in His strength she stood for Him. It takes true courage to confess Christ in the face of a sneering, jeering world. But He will give courage to the one who has a true heart for Him. And by and bye, the time will come when He will confess those who have Confessed Him. The scene will then be changed. In the bright blaze of glory, in the Father’s presence, and amid the host of holy angels, who have witnessed the scenes of earth, Jesus will own as His, those who, in the midst of sorrow and temptation, owned Him down here. Oh, to be true to Him! Is it not worth more than worlds!
What about the girls who said, We are Christians, too, but we are going to have our pleasure yet a while! Let the Word of God answer, “Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.” Will Jesus own such? Ah! beware, ye who have the world. A fleeting moment of pleasure may be yours; but what about that eternity of woe!
“If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in Him.”
“Ye cannot serve two masters.”