WHO does not like a race? We all think it fine fun to go scampering over the green grass, and up and down the meadow banks. I am sure it is the delight of every boy and girl to run in a real race. where there is a starting-point and a winning-post, and, perhaps, prizes at the end. Each one makes up his or her mind to come in first! And who is it that wins the race after all? Why! you reply, the fastest runner, of course. And yet, strange to say, there is a verse in the Bible which tells us, “The race is not to the swift”; while another verse declares, “There are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.” However can this be? I will tell you.
When Jesus was here in this world, He often spoke to a class of people who thought themselves very good; in fact, better than anybody else. They were called Pharisees. They thought that, if anybody got to heaven, they would. And there was another class who did not pretend to be good at all They were called “publicans and sinners,” and the proud Pharisees would have nothing to do with them. Of course, the Pharisees thought that they themselves would be the first to go to heaven, and that the poor publicans and sinners would be the last, if, indeed, they got in at all. But listen to what Jesus said about it: “Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” And at another time He said to them, “The publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.”
Why was this? Because people who think themselves good are deceiving themselves, for God’s word says, “There is none than doeth good, no, not one.” But if anyone will, like the poor publican in Luke 18:1313And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. (Luke 18:13), or like the prodigal in Luke 15:2121And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. (Luke 15:21), say, “I have sinned, and do not deserve to go to heaven,” then God will say, “Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.” Thus the first shall be last, and the last first.
ML 10/02/1904