IN A CERTAIN town, a snake I charmer was exhibiting an unusual type of snake which was causing a great deal of interest and excitement. Many people were going to see his performance.
One night the snake charmer was about to start his act. Some assistants brought and placed a large wicker basket in one corner of the stage, while the snake charmer informed his audience of what they were about to witness. The snake was a rare species which he had kept since a boy; in fact, it had grown up with him, and he regarded it as a friend who would always obey him. As he walked over to where the basket had been placed, every eye was upon him. With a small bamboo cane he began to strike the basket, and suddenly there issued a sound of hissing. The onlookers turned to each other and asked, “Is he trying to deceive us?” In a few moments their question was answered, as a strange reptile moved across the stage toward the snake charmer. The audience was alarmed, fearing the man would lose his life; but having reached his knees, the snake retraced its way back to the basket.
The people were relieved. Some wanted to leave, but the snake charmer assured them that the act was not yet finished, and as for the snake, it would hurt no one.
Again and again the man played with the snake which had been his pet since childhood, till alas, it reared its head above his body, and struck him. Within a few minutes the snake charmer was dead.
God’s Word tells us, “The wages of sin is death.” Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23). It is true, we can play with sin for a time until it seems part of us, but its wages are death. Thank God, that precious verse goes on to say, “But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Have you thought, dear reader, that you could go on your own way, still in your sins, and reject God’s way of salvation. The Scriptures declare that “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov. 14:1212There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12). If you are unsaved, turn to the Lord Jesus now and accept by faith His finished work on Calvary’s cross for all your sins, for He is able and willing to save.
ML-05/29/1960