A young sailor was converted at a gospel meeting. A few nights later he came up to a Christian friend and laying a blank card before him, requested him to write a few words on it, “Because,” he said, “you can write better than I can.”
“What must I write?” asked my friend.
“Write these words: ‘I love Jesus —do you?’ "
After writing down these words, his friend said, “Now you must tell me what you are going to do with the card.”
The young sailor replied: “I am going to sea tomorrow, and I am afraid if I do not take a stand for my Saviour at once, I may begin to be ashamed of being a Christian, and let myself be laughed out of it all altogether. Now as soon as I go on board, I shall walk straight up to my bunk and nail up this card, so that everyone will know that I am a Christian. Maybe they’ll give up hope of making me ashamed or afraid to stand for the Lord.”
The young seaman was right. It will make it much easier for you, dear young Christian, if you hoist your colors right at the start, and let others know from the beginning that you belong to Christ, that you intend by His grace to act like a Christian.
ML-03/07/1976