yard, each evening took home a few of the rather expensive nails. He ra tionalized that his boss had plenty of them and would never miss the few to which he helped himself. One Sun day morning, however, the pastor was speaking about our conscience and how that often it becomes dull when we continually justify wrong deeds in which we have become involved. The Holy Spirit spoke to the man’s heart and he realized, although it had seemed like such a small matter, that the theft of the copper nails was displeasing to the Lord. He frankly admitted to his pastor, “You see, I’ve been trying to give my boss a testimony for Christ. If I go to him now, telling him about my dishonesty, how will I ever be able to give a witness again? He’ll laugh and never have anything to do with Christianity.” After a word of prayer, the pastor explained what the man al ready knew: he would have to make things right for his own peace of mind, whatever the consequences. When he came to church the next Sunday, the fellow had a radiant face. He joyfully explained, “I told my boss just exactly what I had been doing. He calmly replied, ‘Did you think I was unaware of your pilfering? I knew what you were doing but you’re a good work man, human just like the rest of us. I needed you. I’ve always thought Christians were hypocrites, but now I see that you have something far more valuable than any of the rest. Tell me about your faith in Christ.’ ” The Lord answered his prayer and he was able to give a positive witness for the Sav iour. I wonder, do you have any “cop per nails” in your life? There may be other things which must be made right with the Lord if we desire His blessing on our testimony. Too often we excuse ourselves, thinking the company will never miss the little things we take, and after all, we are worth far more than they are paying us anyway. Soon an awakened conscience is dulled and seared. The Psalmist correctly reminds us, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, \hold it there unconfessed ] the Lord will not hear me.” In the New Testa ment we have these words of promise, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).
I get ready to meet God?” This is the same as asking why a fish should have water in which to swim; why the stomach should have food; why the lungs should have air; why the body should require blood. The rea son is simply because in his unre generate state man is unfit to meet God. “You must be born again,” our Saviour clearly explained. Can a blind man enjoy the beau ties of a flower garden? Can a dead man enjoy the music of an orchestra or choir? Can a sick man enjoy the pleasures of a banquet? Of course not. Nor can a sinner, without re generation, have any taste or relish for the promised enjoyments of the heavenly world. There must be re generation by the Holy Spirit in order to qualify one for heaven. Please remember, however, you don’t meet God by your own good ness. “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?” This is one question no one can answer, not even God. You don’t get ready to meet God by procrastination. Gov ernor Felix foolishly said to Paul, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a more convenient season I’ll call for you.” You don’t get ready to meet God by securing an education. A lot of people have gone to hell with diplomas and degrees. You don’t get ready by seeking to accu mulate money. Prepare to meet God by first re ceiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Then, by daily spiritual growth (I Pet. 3:18), enjoy the fullness and fellowship of His pres ence for joy, peace and satisfaction. COPPER NAILS Pilfering by employees is one of the greatest problems business firms face. While people wouldn’t think of steal ing from their neighbors, they will walk away with things belonging to their employers feeling no guilt at all. Working for a boat builder, where cop per nails are used in order to avoid mist, a man, who was himself building a little boat of his own in his back
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