WITH what delight we look upon the little baby brother or sister, who is taking the first step, and all like to catch up the little darling and kiss him, and then encourage him to take another step and another, until he is able to walk. So we say “the first step leads to another,” whether it is the first step in walking; the first step in doing what the Lord wants us to do; or the first step in sin.
Now I want to tell you about two little boys, and one of them was enticed to take a step in disobedience, and then I want to tell you of the first step the Lord wants you to take.
A lady while walking along the street, noticed two boys coming towards her, and as they were passing, one said to the other: “Mother told me I could only go a little way with you. I have already gone further than I should.”
“Oh,” said his companion, “come along. We would have been there by this time, if we had walked faster.”
That lady’s joy in seeing the little boy wanting to do what his mother told him, was turned to sadness to see how he was being persuaded to leave the path of obedience, and to disregard his mother’s wishes.
At once she thought of that word in Prov. 1:1010My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. (Proverbs 1:10). “My son if sinners entice thee consent thou not.” The little boy yielded to the temptation, regardless of his mother’s words and on they went together. That might seem to some of you, not to be a very bad thing, but remember, dear children, that just such a step will lead you to take another that is worse. Beware of those who would lead you to spurn your mother’s words, and remember, that those who will try to pursuade you to go contrary to her wishes, will lead you into all kinds of sin. So, dear children, do not take the first step, and if you have already done so, don’t take another step in such a path.
Now do you ask what is the first step the Lord wants us to take? It is to come to Him about all our sins, for He is the only One who is able to put them all away; for He died for sinners in order that our sins could be forever removed, so God can say: “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Heb. 10:1717And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 10:17). Have you come to Jesus and known Him as your Saviour, as the One who has put all your sins away? If so, that is the first step; the next step is, to go to Him about all that happens to you and He will guide you. “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Prov. 3:66In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:6).
J. T. A.
ML 05/20/1900