Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
– John 3:36 (ESV)
I remember an afternoon those many years ago while in high school when a bunch of us boys met at the local YMCA to play basketball. School was out that day for a teacher's meeting and we saw a good game as a great way to spend a rather boring day. We played half court games for several hours, then stopped in the snack bar for a bite to eat and a coke before heading home. Some of us drove, some took the bus and one rode his motorbike.
Now motorbikes weren't as common back in those days for young folks. Most teens who owned a care had clunker and learned basic mechanics while working hard to mantain it and pay for gas. But this young man, a very nice young man, had the novelty vehicle of the class and he was also a bit of a daredevil while driving it. To me, motorbikes really didn't make sense from the standpoint of safety. I always preferred the idea of having some heavy steel between myself and another vehicle, but he just loved it and rode it everywhere.
As we departed and went our separate ways for home, most of us listened to the local rock and roll station which had quick news quips at the top of the hour. Before arriving home, the news came on and reported a wreck of a car and motorcycle not far from downtown. We momentarily thought of my friend, but then as the music came back on the two of us riding together returned to the tunes as most teens of that era would do.
As I walked in to school the next morning and sat down in home room, the morning announcements were made by the principal himself and he told us the bad news. Our friend had died instantly in that wreck reported the day before on the radio. We were all silent and pensive, particularly those of us who were generally the last ones to see him alive. He was living and vibrant on the basketball court and in the snack bar and then, in a flash he was gone. Apparently, he didn't even see it coming.
I've always remembered that sad event and it is a great example of why we can't wait an hour or a day to make our commitment to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When you believe He is who the Bible says He is and put your faith in Him for salvation, you are instantly ready to face whatever might befall you in earthly life. If you ignore it or put it off, well, it's certainly a possibility that you might miss the opportunity to do so and that would be tragic.
He died to forgive us for our sins and offer us the opportunity for Eternal Life if only we accept Him by faith and believe in Him. Now I don't know much about my young friend ad what he did or did not believe, but I can only pray that he did, for with sudden death the opportunity to do so might be eliminated entirely. And the question is do we want to take that chance? I know I don't and that's why I've made the commitment to Him and am glad to speak out and tell that to the world. I hope many more will make the same decision. It's a personal decision and we can do with it what we wish, but it must be made in this life. We must choose wisely and in a timely fashion for we never know when our time will be up. Don't gamble with the opportunity for Eternity.
Dear Lord, Thank you for giving us forgiveness and with it the opportunity to choose Christ as our Lord and Savior. Open our hearts, let the Spirit enter and lead us to Him as the Mediator for us with you. For if we do, we can bask in the warmth and brightness of your love forever. Amen.
– John 3:36 (ESV)
I remember an afternoon those many years ago while in high school when a bunch of us boys met at the local YMCA to play basketball. School was out that day for a teacher's meeting and we saw a good game as a great way to spend a rather boring day. We played half court games for several hours, then stopped in the snack bar for a bite to eat and a coke before heading home. Some of us drove, some took the bus and one rode his motorbike.
Now motorbikes weren't as common back in those days for young folks. Most teens who owned a care had clunker and learned basic mechanics while working hard to mantain it and pay for gas. But this young man, a very nice young man, had the novelty vehicle of the class and he was also a bit of a daredevil while driving it. To me, motorbikes really didn't make sense from the standpoint of safety. I always preferred the idea of having some heavy steel between myself and another vehicle, but he just loved it and rode it everywhere.
As we departed and went our separate ways for home, most of us listened to the local rock and roll station which had quick news quips at the top of the hour. Before arriving home, the news came on and reported a wreck of a car and motorcycle not far from downtown. We momentarily thought of my friend, but then as the music came back on the two of us riding together returned to the tunes as most teens of that era would do.
As I walked in to school the next morning and sat down in home room, the morning announcements were made by the principal himself and he told us the bad news. Our friend had died instantly in that wreck reported the day before on the radio. We were all silent and pensive, particularly those of us who were generally the last ones to see him alive. He was living and vibrant on the basketball court and in the snack bar and then, in a flash he was gone. Apparently, he didn't even see it coming.
I've always remembered that sad event and it is a great example of why we can't wait an hour or a day to make our commitment to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When you believe He is who the Bible says He is and put your faith in Him for salvation, you are instantly ready to face whatever might befall you in earthly life. If you ignore it or put it off, well, it's certainly a possibility that you might miss the opportunity to do so and that would be tragic.
He died to forgive us for our sins and offer us the opportunity for Eternal Life if only we accept Him by faith and believe in Him. Now I don't know much about my young friend ad what he did or did not believe, but I can only pray that he did, for with sudden death the opportunity to do so might be eliminated entirely. And the question is do we want to take that chance? I know I don't and that's why I've made the commitment to Him and am glad to speak out and tell that to the world. I hope many more will make the same decision. It's a personal decision and we can do with it what we wish, but it must be made in this life. We must choose wisely and in a timely fashion for we never know when our time will be up. Don't gamble with the opportunity for Eternity.
Dear Lord, Thank you for giving us forgiveness and with it the opportunity to choose Christ as our Lord and Savior. Open our hearts, let the Spirit enter and lead us to Him as the Mediator for us with you. For if we do, we can bask in the warmth and brightness of your love forever. Amen.
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