Tim and Terry were having fun. They had found a box of matches and were playing with them in their bedroom where Mother would not see them. Striking matches and lighting pieces of paper and then blowing out the flames was fun. Tim was just nine years old and Terry was seven, but they were both old enough to know that what they were doing was not only wrong, but very dangerous.
At first they had a good time, but suddenly something went wrong. One of the pieces of paper blazed up more quickly than they expected and they found they could not put out the flame.
Tim and Terry should have called for help, but they didn’t. They became frightened when they found they could not put out the fire. In their panic they simply went out and closed the bedroom door, then hurried downstairs and out into the yard. They forgot that their three-year-old sister Lisa was sleeping in her bedroom upstairs.
Boys and girls, you know you are sinners. Your own conscience tells you that you have done things that are wrong. 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). You may have tried to get rid of your sins by being good or by going to Sunday school or by reading your Bible. But none of those things will save you from your sins. Tim and Terry tried to put out the fire by themselves, but they could not. You will never be able to get rid of your sins by yourself either. The Bible tells us that only “the blood of Jesus Christ His [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7).
Not knowing anything about the fire, Mother got in her car and left for just ten minutes to pick up her older daughter from high school. While she was gone the fire began to spread, and someone seeing smoke coming from the upstairs window called the fire department. When Mother arrived home, firemen with hoses and ladders were fighting to put out the fire. Falling on her knees in the yard between her two sons, Mother prayed that they would be able to get little Lisa out safely.
One of the brave firemen risked his life to rescue Lisa. Facing the smoke and flames, he went in and brought Lisa out alive.
Only the brave firemen with their special equipment and protective clothing could rescue Lisa, and only the Lord Jesus, God’s Son, can save you from your sins. He not only risked His life, He gave His life that you might have your sins forgiven. Won’t you thank Him today for dying on the cross for your sins? He loves you and wants to forgive you.
Little Lisa had been in the burning house too long. In spite of the brave fireman who risked his life to save her, and in spite of all that the doctors and nurses in the hospital did for her, she died the next day.
The Lord Jesus promises us, however, that when He saves us from our sins He never lets us go. He preserves and keeps us forever. Although our story has a sad ending, your life can have a happy ending. If you will accept the Lord Jesus as your own Saviour, you are promised everlasting life with Him in heaven. “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.” John 10:2828And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28).
ML-09/04/1994