Three Dogs 

Dr. A. T. Schofield used to point out that there were three sorts of dogs in his city. The wild dog that roamed the streets at will, stole meals from garbage cans, and often came to an inglorious end in the lethal chamber of the humane society; the chained dog, which could not be trusted for more than a few feet; and the dog that knew and loved his master and responded obediently to his voice.

All people seem to be like one of these three dogs. Some are utterly lawless when it comes to the authority of God. They are dominated by sin, “walking after their own lusts” (2 Peter 3:3). Then there are many who are like the dog on the leash—they are those in the religious realm who, “going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:3). But the Christian who has experienced the truth of New Testament deliverance is like the third dog: he needs no chain, but is guided by his Master’s eye and his Master’s voice.

—C. Ernest Tatham