Virginia ran all the way to the house when she got off the school bus. She was quite breathless by the time she was finally in the, living room holding something behind her back and smiling mysteriously. “Guess what! Just guess what I got! E in spelling!”
There—it was out. She couldn’t contain such good news a minute longer. Investigation only proved it to be true. A sheaf of neat spelling papers was evidence enough that she deserved the E on her report card.
That night there were six children’s report cards to be signed, each one telng its own story. One, though not so good in arithmetic, rated merit checks beside “Courtesy and considerion of others” and “Makes good use of time.” Another was a very satisfaory card, and had a merit check bide the words “Follows directions.”
Still another rated high in everything but music. At first that seemed strange, but on second thought it didn’t seem so strange, for the children had not particated in a gala musical play, The Show-boat, put on by the school.
Did you know, dear young reader, that we should seek to have two good reports—one from God and the other from men? That all believers should have a good report from men without. is, very important; but God judges the heart and motives within, and He will give a reward for all that is done for Him in faith. We do not all have the same ability, but what is done can be done as unto Him.
When the Lord Jesus was mocked by the unbelieving Pharisees, He said unto them, “Ye are they which justify youelves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16: 15.
We often hear unsaved people speak of their good lives as compared with others, but God is holy and shows us that all are guilty and sinful in His sight. We need the precious blood of Christ to cleanse away those horrible sins, and then, but not until then, are we fit for His presence. No one can enter heaven unless he has been made clean in this way.
When we are saved, we are in the “school of God.” Then we can seek to please Him in all we do. It is only through His Word that we learn what is pleasing to Him. Let us read it and walk in obedience to it day by day. One day when we go to be with the Lord Jesus, we shall graduate from this “school.” Then at the judgment seat of Christ, our lives will be reviewed, and it will be His delight to reward all that has been done to please Him.
“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it.” 1 Corinthians 3:13.
ML 10/31/1954