Posted: 08/09/07

Repent Before Your Bridge Collapses Without Warning

... Because we all want to live

There is not one of us who doesn't want to live. Those who want to die are put into asylums for their mental illness. And no one will escape God's justice.
But we do try to hide…

Some play music constantly to drown out their conscience. Some watch movie after movie to keep the voice of God out - the more depraved the better. Just look at the filth in your video store and tell me I'm wrong. Some turn to drugs of any and every kind to try and avoid the truth. Others look to family and friends to prop them up with lies. Some use their work to foster some sense of worth to hide their guilt over what they have done. And still others try to be as "good" as they can, thinking they can earn God's approval. But "Our foolishness cannot turn aside God's Providence" as the Bible teacher Alistair Begg said recently.

I was thinking some of this as I was sitting at the bottom of a very long hill in my car waiting to get through New Jersey traffic. And, as it was taking a very long time, I was noticing some of the responses of those going by that read the back window of my car which has this written on it:

How good are you?
By what standard?
Are you good enough to go to heaven?
Test yourself!
theGoodPersonTest.com

Some blared their music at me in protest. One guy even changed his song several times he was so upset. Some tried looking away as they went by, as if that would work: They saw it, they cannot deny it; they read enough to know what it says (I was watching).

As I saw their reactions I remembered how a stiff necked rejection of the truth will not help when you have to answer for what you have done. I know because I've been there... I ruined my relationship with my Dad with my own stubbornness. Thankfully Jesus got through to me in time to be at peace with my Father in heaven. But I'm still working my way back into my Dad's heart...
 

We all want to live; no one wants to die. So what would you pay to have your sins forgiven and live forever? Are you ready to face God today? You have no promise for tomorrow. Your every breath is a gift of God. [Job 12:10] Many of those who died on that bridge that collapsed in Minneapolis during rush hour had no more than a moment before they died. Were they ready to be judged? Did they cry out too late for God to save them? Did they reject the mercy of God before, thinking they could worry about it later, only to find out that there was no "later"? Or did they think they didn't need to be rescued?

Jesus said in John 12:48, "The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day."

Are you ready? Like the window says, "Are you good enough to go to heaven?" That is the point... If you look at the Law of God you will see yourself in truth and know the answer is a resounding "No!" And God would agree with you, "Surely there is not a righteous man on earth, who does good and doesn't sin." Ecclesiastes 7:20

There is only one Hope for you. There is only one Truth, one Way to heaven; The Promised Messiah has been revealed...

John 14:6

"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
So let's be reminded of what Jesus said to those who asked the popular "Where was God?" question; A question often raised in the aftermath of tragic circumstances even in His day. It would appear the reasoning behind their comments came from an attempt at self-justification seeing what Jesus said in reply:

Luke 13:3
"I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way."

Yahweh has no desire for anyone to perish. [2 Peter 3:9] His giving His own Son's life as the Atonement for your crimes against Him proves that.

So what do you think? What's the holdup? Think you can just put it off? Do you not see the danger? Are you certain your bridge will not collapse without warning? Or do you think God is not just? What more can a just and righteous God do to be MORE merciful? Sacrificing His own Son to pay for your crime isn't enough proof enough for you that He cares what happens to you?

Maybe it's time you realize what is at stake?
What did Jesus say about the seriousness of sin?

Matthew 5:29-30
"You have heard that it was said, ^* 'You shall not commit adultery;'^* but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Hell. If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Hell.

Is any of this getting through? What price would you pay to have your sins forgiven? Would you cut off your own arm or gouge out your own eye? Isn't it time you had some truth with yourself? God considered sin so serious He gave His son to save you. You've no promise for tomorrow or even the very next breath you take. So decide today whom you will serve. [Joshua 24:15]

"Where was God?" you ask? There with them... Still waiting... hoping to hear the words, "Forgive me God. I was wrong. Save me from my just reward before I die. Thank you for Jesus dieing for me. Into Your hands I commit my spirit. Amen."
But realize that so many people don't have a single moments notice before death takes them and it is too late.

Today, at this very moment as you read this realize: This is your instance for salvation. TAKE IT. You may never get another chance.

Read Psalm 51 and make it your prayer, NOW.

And if you, professing Christian, are not growing in holiness, cannot see changes since you became a Christian, then test yourself today; know TODAY where you will go when you die; BE SURE whose you are. Tomorrow may not be the day you die, though for 150,000 people it will be. But some day "tomorrow" will be your last day and you may not get a moments notice.

"Have mercy on me, God..."

Patrick Burwell
OnlyJesusSaves.com

Footnotes:

(1) Exodus 20:1

(2) Ecclesiastes 7:20

(3) John 14:6

(4) John 12:48
(5) Luke 13:3

(6) Matthew 5:29-30 (WEB)

(7) Psalm 51, the prayer of repentance

.If you do not desire to deliver the lost from Hell, then whose are you?.
.For Evangelism Resources, please visit LivingWaters.com.
To learn how to share your faith biblically, simply and effectively begin here.

By Patrick Burwell Click here for bio and archived articles