A parable has been told about an old man who meditated each day by the Ganges
River in India . One morning he saw a scorpion floating on the water. When the
scorpion drifted near the old man he reached to rescue it but was stung by the
scorpion. A bit later he tried again and was stung again. The stings caused his
hand to swell and throb with pain.
Another man passing by saw what was happening and yelled at the meditator, "Hey,
stupid old man, what's wrong with you? Only a fool would risk his life for the
sake of an ugly, evil creature. Don't you know you could kill yourself trying to
save that ungrateful scorpion?"
The old man calmly replied, "My friend, just because it is in the scorpion's
nature to STING, does not change my nature to SAVE."
It is in man's nature to SIN. We are born selfish creatures, and as we grow and
learn right from wrong, our selfishness often motivates us to choose to do
wrong, i.e. SIN (see James 1:13-15). Committing sin, we are subject to its
punishment: DEATH (Romans 6:23).
It is in God's nature to SAVE - because it is in God's nature to LOVE. "But God
demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were STILL sinners, Christ
died for us" (Romans 5:8). Yet, too many today are like the scorpion – they
refuse God's help. Most refuse the saving and helpful hand of the Lord. However,
God still continues to reach out to man…
It is in God's nature to SAVE! He "desires ALL men to be saved and to come to
the knowledge of the truth"(1 Timothy 2:4). But, it is up to US to accept His
salvation. The Scriptures teach us that we accept God's offer of salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus, God's Son (Acts 16:31), repentance of sin (Acts
17:30-31), confession of Christ (Romans 10:9-10), and baptism for the
forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). The forgiveness made possible through the shed
blood of Jesus continues to cleanse us as we follow Him as a way of life (1 John
1:7).
It is God's nature to save..... DON'T reject His kindness. Accept His gracious
offer of salvation TODAY!
David A. Sargent creekwood@comcast.net
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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