Danger!
DANGER!
Read Ephesians 6:10-13.
Juan glanced uneasily at the danger signs posted around the old mine shaft. “Come on,” urged his older brother, Jose, as he climbed over the fence and dropped down inside.
“We’re supposed to be gathering wood for the fire,” protested Juan.
Jose shrugged and walked away. Then a horrible crashing sound filled Juan’s ears as Jose disappeared. “Where are you?” cried Juan.
“Down here,” came the muffled reply.
“Hang on,” called Juan. “I’ll go get Dad.” He ran to the site of the winter church retreat where the men were setting up camp. As soon as Juan saw the tents he shouted, “Help! Jose’s trapped in an old mine!”
The rest of the evening was a blur to Juan. He dimly remembered Pastor Jake calling for help on his ham radio, the wait for the rangers to come in the helicopter, and the wait for his father to return with news from the hospital. How Juan wished he and Jose had obeyed the instructions to stay within sight of camp! How he wished they had paid attention to the danger signs!
When Dad returned, Juan was relieved to hear that Jose would be all right. He told his father how sorry he was that he had disobeyed.
Dad nodded. “What did the signs at the mine say?”
“They said, ‘Danger. Keep out!’”
“When you and Jose didn’t obey, you had to pay the consequences,” said Dad. “God’s Word also says, ‘Danger. Keep out of sin.’ It’s not worded that way, but God warns that our sins will catch up with us. When you’re faced with temptation, run away! And ask God to help you.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you can disobey, cheat, or lie—just once—and it won’t matter? Do you think no one will find out? God already knows, and very often other people find out too. Sin is dangerous and has serious consequences. You can’t escape forever.
TO MEMORIZE:
Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love.
Hosea 10:12
SIN IS DANGEROUS.
From the book
