© 2013 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

I once heard a story about a crying child. Irritated by its crying, the parent angrily asked the nanny about the cause of its crying. The nanny said the child was throwing a temper tantrum because she would not let it have what it wanted. Wishing to be freed from the annoying sound, the parent ordered the nanny to let the child have its own way. For the next few seconds quietness came over the household, followed by a burst of even louder screams from the child’s room. Frustrated, the parent demanded an explanation for the new uncontrolled screaming. The nanny explained that the child had caught the hornet it had been chasing earlier. The result was a painful sting.

Each of us is born into this world with a desire to have our own way in spite of restraints which God has lovingly prescribed. Even as newborn babies, we go forth as sinners. “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies” (Psalms 58:3). The enemy of our souls distracts us with seemingly pleasant temptations, sinful activities, and even hectic legitimate commitments. Though our most urgent need is to be saved from sin by faith in Jesus Christ, our natural tendency is to deny our sinful condition and remain preoccupied with the pleasures set before us. As with the child in the story, those who end up dying without Christ will discover agony as the final result. Unlike the child, however, this agony will be eternal, for God says, “The sting of death is sin…” (1 Corinthians 15:56), and, “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23). Of those who succumb to this deadly sting the Bible says, “And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night…” Your distractions with the pleasures of this world will end, for “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). However, I have good news for you! Christ came as the perfect redemption sacrifice for sinners who repent and turn to Him in faith.

Will you continue to fight against the serious and necessary demands of God, or will you humble yourself and submit to His loving command to renounce your sins and run to Jesus Christ the only Savior?

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