They Were Such Good Boys!

 

Recently a metropolitan newspaper reported the shocking story of how five

teenage boys terrorized their suburban town.

Shock, rage, disbelief surged through the community as the high school

students were tried and convicted in court for a variety of crimes including

robbing an armored truck, beatings, robberies, and shootings.

The most common reaction from neighbors, family, and fellow students was:

"They were such good boys."

Apparently they had been "good boys." All were from fine homes. Two of the

boys were basketball stars. They dated the prettiest girls in school, and some

were on the Honor Roll.

Jesus saw a similar group of men who were the respected leaders of their day.

Their actions were honorable. They prayed in public. They gave money to

widows. This religious order (Pharisees) did all the right things in the eyes

of men. In the eyes of the community, "They were such nice men."

Jesus, however, viewed the men as they really were, "Even so ye also outwardly

appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity"

(Matthew 23:28).

He cut through the facade that covered their hearts. As the Son of God he

looked upon the hearts and saw sin. Because it is from the inward being that

sin expresses itself (Mark 7:21-23).

Let's take a moment for a personal inventory. Do your outward actions measure

up to what your family, friends, and neighbors expect of you? Are your actions

and external appearance that of a nice guy?"

Now, look at your heart as God looks at it. Remember He is not fooled by

outward appearances (I Samuel 16:7). If you are honest with yourself, you will

admit that you have sin in your life. We "all have sinned and come short of

the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) and according to the Bible we must pay for

those sins (Romans 6:23) by death (eternal separation from God).

There is an alternative, however, because God gave His only son, Jesus Christ,

to die for us - all of us. Our decision to accept Jesus into our hearts is an

acceptance of light over darkness, righteousness over sin, and life over

death.

If you are honest with yourself before God, and realize the need for

forgiveness in your heart, pray the following prayer to God:

"Heavenly Father, I know you love me because you sent your son Jesus to die on

a cross bearing my sins. Thank you Lord for helping me realize my sins. I

confess that I am a sinner and cannot save myself. I accept you as my personal

Savior and invite you into my heart. Forgive me of my sins and help me to live

for you. Thank you, Lord, for eternal salvation. Amen."

When you sincerely pray this prayer the evil thoughts and actions of a sinful

heart will be replaced by the thoughts and actions of a child of God. Write

for information on how to grow and mature as a Christian.

David Buttram

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