by Al Baker
If religion is man’s effort to reach up to God, then Christianity is God’s great act of condescension, ripping open heaven, coming into the world as a baby born in a manger (Luke 2:7), born in obscurity and poverty, living perfectly, proclaiming the kingdom of God by his life, words, actions, and death, proving that he has purchased the redemption of his people by being raised from the dead and ascending to his Father’s right hand.
You must stop neglecting this great salvation (Heb 2:3). Enough is enough. It is sheer madness to not consider the sure and certain ending of your life. You will die, and then comes the judgment. You will stand before God and give an account of all you have said, thought, and done (Rom 14:12). Do you feel good about your chances to pass the perfected gaze of unmitigated holiness? Where will you go when you die? Contrary to what so many believe — you will not simply die and cease to exist. You have a soul that will never die. You will not merely return to the dust from which you came. You will not get a second chance in purgatory. There is no such place. God has given you time to repent during your lifetime and thus far it may be that you have refused to heed his cry. You will not come back from the dead as some other person. There is no such thing as reincarnation. These are all lies of the devil to blind you to eternal verities, to drug you, as it were, so that you will live and die in your spiritual stupor.
Don’t neglect this glorious, marvellous, and majestic salvation any longer. Stop your drifting. Come to Jesus right now. What does it mean to come to Jesus? By this I don’t mean a mere religious life of church-going, though this is important. I don’t mean an emotional decision wrought by sheer terror at the thought of dying. But by this I do mean coming to grips with your mortality, your lack of true spirituality, the just condemnation for your sins under which you are now living. I mean seeing that you have offended a holy God, that Jesus is your only hope of eternal salvation, that you are willing to acknowledge your sinful rebellion against him, that you are willing to hate and forsake your sin, that you ask God to save you by the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. By this I mean you trust only in who Jesus is and what he did on the cross. You must see that you have nothing to offer him, that your righteousness is like a menstrual cloth before him (Isa 64:6). You must believe that Jesus’ death and resurrection is the full payment and satisfaction of God for your sins. It means you say to God, ‘Be merciful to me, the sinner.’ (Luke 18:13) It means that you are able to say about yourself with Paul the Apostle, ‘I am the foremost of sinners.’
Are you willing to do so my friend? It matters not how long you have been away from God. It matters not how sinfully you have lived over these many years. It matters not how dreadfully you have hurt others, though surely you will want to make restitution to those whom you have hurt, by confessing your sins to them and asking for their forgiveness. It matters not that the consequences of your sin are so profound and far-reaching that you can never unravel the deceit and hardship you have caused others. Jesus is ready, willing, and able to save you right this very moment. Turn from your sin, my friend, and believe on Jesus Christ to save you. You will find him to be all that he promises. You will know his peace, love, guidance, and provision all your days. And when you close your eyes in death, you will see grandeur and majesty beyond comprehension. Only Jesus can save you and he can do so right now!
Source: Banner of Truth
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