A group of girls employed in a store were engaged in busy conversation. As they were to attend “a show” that evening, they seemed very happy and full of interest—all but one of the number, who listened in silence. 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 answer. 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 cannot 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 babe in Christ to bear? This dear girl was not ashamed of the “gospel of Christ.” After deep exercise of soul, she had found Jesus as her Saviour; and now His approval was more to her than the smiles of the world; and in His strength she stood for Him. Although it takes true courage to confess Christ in the face of a jeering world, He will give courage to the one who has a true heart for Him.
“Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess before My Father which is in heaven.”
The time will come when in the Father’s presence, and amid the host of holy angels, Jesus will own as His, those who, in the midst of sorrow and temptation, owned Him down here. O, 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,
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!