Tommy, the cat

Tommy, the cat

• TOMMY’S LIFE Tommy was a cat who lived on a cargo ship. One stormy night the ship wrecked on the rocky sea coast. During the rescue Tommy was forgotten. Then someone remembered, and tried several times to rescue Tommy. But he ran away every time, and finally disappeared below deck. The crew was sad because they couldn’t save Tommy. But he was quite happy, because he found many of his favorite foods spilled all over the galley floor, and there was no one to chase him away. Tommy really enjoyed his feast – until the ship sank and he drowned!

• OUR LIVES Many people are just like Tommy – enjoying life now, but never thinking about the dangers of the future. Are you like this? The Bible says our sins make us unfit for heaven: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). It also says, “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). We are all headed for punishment for our sins unless someone saves us. Are we like Tommy – running away from the One who wants to rescue us?

• GOD’S LOVE The Bible is God’s love letter to us. It says He really loves sinners – people just like you and me – but hates sin. It says, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Can you believe it? Jesus never did anything wrong, yet God actually let Him die for our sins! And Jesus loved us so much that He willingly died on the cross to save us. Has anyone ever loved you this much? Do you want to be sure of His love for you? Then do what the Bible says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

• GOD’S NEWS God has bad news for those who refuse to do this: “Unless you repent you will … perish” (Luke 13:3). But He has good news for those who obey: “You will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:42). God wants you to love His Son, like He does. It wasn’t easy for God to punish Jesus for your sins, but He did it because He loves you and wants to rescue you.

• YOUR FUTURE God does not want you to be like Tommy – lost forever. He wants you to confess your sins to Him right now and ask Jesus to save you. If you do this, He will save you, and then you will be His forever.