There Is GOD, There Is Judgement, And The Time Is Short

We are not ignorant of his schemes!

(Christopher Ash, "The Priority of Preaching" adapted)

So that no advantage would be taken 
of us by satan, for we are not ignorant 
of his schemes!"  2 Corinthians 2:11

Three apprentice devils were being 
trained by satan.

"What are you going to try today?"
asked satan.

The first apprentice replied,
"I'm going to tell people that
there is no GOD."

"Well," says satan, "you can try.
A few fools will believe you.
But the universe shouts
the existence of GOD.

There is evidence all around, and
you will not do very well. Indeed,
even in the secular twenty-first century--
you may find yourself witnessing the slow
death of atheism. Any other ideas?"

The second apprentice answered this:
"I'm going to tell them that there
is no judgment."

"That's a better idea," says satan.
"You will persuade more people of that,
especially some of the clergy. But
human beings have a gut sense
of accountability--
that actions have consequences.

They know what it is to feel guilty,
even when their therapists tell them
not to. So I think you'll find it an uphill
struggle. Anyone else have an idea?"

A third apprentice piped up,
"I'm going to tell them that 
there is no hurry."

"Brilliant!" says satan. "That is just
what you need to say. You will have
great success. Let them listen to
the Word of GOD, and then whisper
in their ears: This is good stuff. 

One day you ought to do something
about this. But tomorrow will do."

    ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

GraceGems is beginning to publish Timothy Shay Arthur's short
CHILDREN'S STORIES, for the ages of 7 to 13. Here is an example, "The Mother's Grave".