No Difference
NO DIFFERENCE
Read Romans 3:10-12.
At a special service at Jenny’s church, Derek, one of the roughest boys at school, surprised everyone by becoming a Christian.
After church, Jenny walked home with her friend Brittany, who had only recently started coming to their church. Jenny was surprised to hear her new friend’s comments. “Maybe Derek’s behavior will improve now that he’s a Christian,” said Brittany. “His family is very poor, you know, and his dad drinks. I’m glad I don’t have a family like that. I’m glad I was born a Christian.”
“Nobody is born a Christian,” objected Jenny.
Brittany shrugged. “Oh, I know some people think that, but I don’t agree.”
The next week the circus came to their city. Brittany invited Jenny to go with her. The girls arrived just in time. “Oh no!” groaned Brittany as the gatekeeper waited for their tickets. “I forgot the tickets!” She explained the situation to the gatekeeper, asking if they could please go on in and bring the tickets later. As he shook his head, Brittany squared her shoulders and looked him straight in the eye. “Do you know who I am?” she asked haughtily. “I’m the mayor’s daughter!”
“Well, Miss Mayor’s Daughter, show me your ticket, and you can get in.”
After walking away in silence, Jenny glanced at Brittany. “It didn’t matter who you were, did it?” she asked quietly. “If the gatekeeper wouldn’t let you into the circus even though you were the mayor’s daughter, what makes you think God will let you into heaven just because you come from a Christian family?”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you were born a Christian? You weren’t. The Bible says it makes no difference who you are. Whether you’re from the best home in town or the worst, you need to accept Jesus into your heart.
TO MEMORIZE:
Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
Romans 3:23
YOU ARE A SINNER.
From the book
