Early one summer morning in 2003 in Nova Scotia, three teenagers decided to steal a boat and take it for a joyride. They stole a pontoon boat from a Pleasantville wharf, drank the liquor they found on board, and ended up down the river.
The three next broke into a camp on one of the LaHave Islands, where they took blankets, pillows and stereo equipment.
Beaching the $20,000 boat on another shore and thinking they were on the mainland, the teens decided to burn the evidence. One held the boat, while another poured a can of gasoline over it, and the third lit the fire.
They burned the boat, not realizing they were on an island!
When someone in the vicinity saw a burning boat, they contacted the authorities. A search and rescue helicopter plucked one of the 17-year-olds from Cape LaHave Island. He later told police the story and said the others had hidden when the helicopter arrived.
Officers returned to the island by helicopter and arrested the others that afternoon. All three teens faced charges of theft and damage to property. *
That’s the way it works with SIN…
One seeks some forbidden pleasure thinking he can hide the evidence when he is through, only to discover that there is NO place to hide! As it is written: “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). Because of sin, WE are left “stranded,” destined for destruction, and in desperate need of rescue.
The Bible describes the process with these words:
“Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” – James 1:14-15
The GOOD NEWS is that Someone has come to our rescue! God sent Jesus into the world to teach us how foolish and destructive sin really is. Then Jesus, the sinless Son of God, died on the cross to pay the price for our redemption (Ephesians 1:7).
Each of us must accept the Lord’s offer of salvation through our obedient faith. We must place our faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from the foolish and destructive ways of sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
Won’t YOU accept His offer of salvation and be saved?
David A. Sargent, Minister davidsargent1@comcast.net