Thinking today about time and the matter of the heart…
He would have been 74 years old today. It’s so hard to believe that this year marks ten years since he passed away. I remember the last time we talked. It was a brief phone conversation as I was walking through Belk while my son and daughter shopped for winter clothes. Never in a million years would I have ever thought that would be the last time I spoke to him before he left this world.
As I think back on my dad’s unexpected passing, I am reminded that we really do not know how much longer we have in this world. In James 4:14, he writes, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (KJV). With that truth, a few things press on my heart to share. I have learned that if you care about someone, tell them. Say the words, “I love you.” Yes, they may and probably do know, but tell them anyway. You may have a thousand more opportunities to say it… or you may not. And don’t wait to share the gospel. Tell everyone you know that Jesus loves them. Make sure they know that Jesus is “…the way, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6), that the way of salvation and eternal life in Heaven in the presence of God is only by the grace of God through believing in Christ as Savior and Lord. And friend, if you have not trusted in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, don’t wait. We truly do not know how many more opportunities that we have. The Bible says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 KJV). God had a plan of redemption from the beginning. However, He first had to let us discover that we needed a Savior. The Law (commandments) provided a means to show our fallen and sinful nature. Then, in God’s perfect timing, He sent a Savior, His Son, perfect and without sin, to take the punishment that we deserved. Romans 6:23 details, “For the wages of sin is death…” (KJV). Jesus endured that death, carrying the weight of all our sin, and satisfied our debt. That is how very much God loves us and wants us to spend eternity with Him. But He wants us to choose to spend eternity with Him. Maybe today, you are tired. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 KJV). Maybe, right now, you are sad and heartbroken. “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3 KJV). Maybe you are struggling through a difficult situation. Isaiah 43:2 assures, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee” (KJV). No, accepting Christ is not going to make all the troubles go away while we are here on this earth. We live in a fallen world with an enemy that is constantly trying to distract us from God and His purpose for us. But in a relationship with Christ, we are never alone… and we have the assurance that we will spend eternity with our Savior, where there will be no more tears, pain, or suffering. Maybe things have never been better, but you have just never trusted in Jesus as your Savior and entered into that relationship with Him. Wherever you are in your life right now, don’t wait. Romans 10:9 explains, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (KJV). If you believe Christ died for your sins and was resurrected so that you could spend eternity with Him, stop right now and go to Him in prayer. Admit your need for a Savior, confess your trust and belief in Him, and tell Him you want Him to be Lord of your life. But maybe right now, you just don’t truly believe. Then, Friend, I encourage you to read and study the Word of God. When Paul and Silas preached the good news of Jesus to the Bereans, it says. “…they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed…” (Acts 17:11-12 KJV). So, take your questions and uncertainties to the Bible, God’s Holy Word. Discover the character of God and all the fulfilled prophecies as God paves the way for His plan of salvation. Read about Jesus, His death, and resurrection. Take a look as Paul delivers indisputable evidence of Christ’s resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15 as he details, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time” (KJV). And note all those who suffered persecution because they refused to back down and deny what they knew was the truth: that Jesus Christ was the Messiah through whom they had been justified before God and granted eternal life.
My dad left this world unexpectedly when I thought he would have many birthdays left to celebrate. But the essence of the matter is that none of us knows how much time we have left. So, whatever your situation, if you are not certain you are going to Heaven, take the steps to know Jesus as your personal Savior and secure your eternal destination. And while we are still here, we can all attest to the fact that life can be hard. We don’t have to walk it alone. Walk it with Jesus.
