SHIVERING FROM THE cool ocean breeze, they clung to the ferry boat with chattering teeth. Half-naked bodies, torn underwear, barefooted, water soaked hair, they could not be more than 14 years old. Most of them were much younger. Warm smiles covered their smooth round faces. Their dark brown eyes begged the crowd for another coin to be cast from the deck above them into the deep blue waters slapping gently against the ferry boat.
A friend and I were returning from a tragic mission trip on the island of Leyte. Days earlier, while operating my ham radio from Legazpi City, I had received news over the airwaves of a devastating flood in Ormoc City. Within hours, my friend and I boarded a midnight bus traveling to Samar from Legazpi City. On Samar island, the next morning we joined another friend for the final day of travel to Ormoc City.
After helping the victims of the flood for several days, we began our journey back to our homes on Luzon. While waiting for the ferry boat to transport us back across the San Bemardino Strait between the islands of Samar and Luzon, several passengers passed their time by tossing coins to eager young swimmers bobbing in the sea alongside the ferry.
Frequently, in order to provoke the passengers to cast a monetory offering into the sea, the young swimmers would dive high above the water. Each coin cast into the sea sent a wave of young boys from the ferry decks into the cool sea water----- parang mga isda sa dagat.
Undoubtedly, the boys are part of along history of accomplished divers. Probably, like their older brothers and fathers before them, they have entertained batch after batch of bored passengers, waiting to ferry the short distance from one island to the other. Their bravery, along with their warm smiles and enthusiasm, has captivated the hearts of thousands of weary travelers through the years.
In my opinion, however the most astonishing activity by the young boys is not their ability to drive from great heights into the sea below, retrieving the small coins sinking slowly into the deep blue water. But instead, for my part, their greatest skill is their ability to swim almost endlessly in the swaying waters. Many of the youngest boys effortlessly kicked their feet in a frog-like motion for hours, waiting for the next coin to fall from the sky .It is truly a spectacle worth seeing.
Despite the unbelievable abilities of those young boys. the Bible tells us about a Spectacle of much greater significance. When St. Paul addressed the church in Rome, he warned:
. . . evervone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence. But by the free gift of God's grace all are put right with him (God) through Christ Jesus, who sets them free.
Romans 3:23-24
According to the teachings of the Bible, everyone is a sinner. Because we are born into the world as sinners, no person-is without sin.
Since the fall of Adam and Eve, every person born into this world has a sinful nature and tendency to sin.
St.Paul says:
Everyone has sinned and is far away from Gods saving presence.
That means everyone, including you and me! You may be arguing:
• I am only human.
• I am not a bad person.
• I do good works.
• I attend mass regularly.
• I have never killed anyone
• I have tried to fulfill the ten commandments all my life.
No matter how good you are as a person, just like those swimmers who are unable to swim from the Philippines to the U.S., you cannot get Into God's Kingdom by your own efforts and good works. No matter how much better you are than me, you will not be able to get into heaven without the help of Jesus. It does not matter how hard you work if you do not trust Jesus to save you from death and destruction, you will ultimately die trying!
Despite your sinful nature, it is God's will for you to receive His free gift of eternal life.
Remember, you are only able to reach God's heaven by His grace. You cannot save yourself from the judgement due for your sins. It is only by the grace of God that you are able to enter His kingdom. In fact, the Bible warns that you:
Consider a few lessons from this Bible verse:
•Only one sin makes you a sinner. Even if it is a little or big sin.
•Only one sin will separate you from a holy God
• Only one sin leads to death, because you cannot live with a holy God.
Like all people born into this sinful world, your greatest problem is your sin which separates you from a loving and holy God. Because God is holy, he cannot look upon your sin. Your sinful nature will cause you to be separated from the presence of God in heaven. Your sinful nature prevent you from fulfilling God's purpose for your life. Like all other sinners, you deserve death, and punishment as payment for the sin in your life
Remember. however, God loves you. He has a purpose for your life. Despite your sinful nature, it is God's will for you to receive His free gift of eternal life. It Is God's will for you to enter His heaven.
Have a nice Day!
By: Orchidaceae
Thank you!