WHAT a lesson we may learn from our picture this week of the contrast between ourselves and God!
The boy seems to be saying to that fine-looking dog, “Go away, this is mine. I want it for myself!”
That is just like boys and girls, and men and women, too, and these actions are called—selfishness. That is the opposite of the character of God. God delights to give. When man had sinned, God did not turn him away, and say, I cannot do anything for you. Oh, no, there was nothing too great for God to do. He had only one Son, who was very dear to Him, and He saw He was the only one who was able to bring the sinner back to Himself and to make him fit to be in His presence, so He did not say, This is My Son and I will not give Him to die for sinners; I would rather let the sinners be lost forever—oh, no! but He said, I so love the sinners, that I will give My only Son and will punish. Him in place of the sinners and let them go free, Ah, that was not selfishness, was it, dear children? I am sure you will answer, “No!” Now, I ask you, have you believed that God gave His Son to die for you, and that He has shown such love for you? If you do, let that matchless love which He has shown to you, be dwelling in your heart and then you will show to others, not the selfish, nature, but the love of God and you will ever be ready to do for others and give as you are able.
ML 04/03/1903