David is growing up. He proudly walks around the house now, even though he leans to the left a little. He eats his Cheerios a handful at a time. He recites the 12 tribes of Israel before breakfast each morning. OK, maybe not that last one. But he is growing up.

Along with these new developments has come an appetite for experimentation. He likes to test his boundaries, to see how far he can go with things. We have a carbon monoxide alarm in the outlet in the hallway that he knows he’s not supposed to touch. But he will walk up to it, look right at me, and touch it. He never likes what happens after that.

Guess who loves to get a front row seat to these proceedings? His big sister. She delights in him getting disciplined. In fact, she probably thinks that we’re not strict enough on him. I guess she figures that’s what he deserves for stealing her stardom.

If we’re not careful, we can cultivate a poor attitude toward those who are lost. Do you remember how you felt a couple of years ago when you heard the news that the sons of Saddam Hussein had been shot and killed? I am ashamed that my initial reaction was to rejoice over them getting what they deserved. It should have been to pray for their souls. God does not wish for any to perish (1 Tim. 2:4 LBX). That should be our wish as well.

Have we forgotten how bad that Jesus said hell is? He describes it as a place where “the worm does not die and the fire is never quenched” (Mark 9:48 LBX). Whether that depiction is literal or figurative, I don’t know. What’s more, I don’t want to find out! And I shouldn’t want any man, no matter how wicked, to spend eternity there.

We can’t do anything about those who have already gone to meet God. Their fate lies with Him. But we can do something about those who are still around us. Will you use the Southside Lectures as motivation for keeping people out of hell? Someone you invite may come and hear the gospel and be saved from their sins. Do you love anyone that much?

We would do our jobs better if we concentrated more on mercy. It’s a sure sign of growing up.