Grasping The Past
Good News – February 2014 – Grace & Truth Magazine
Grasping The Past
The Lord said to a rebellious people, “Prepare to meet your God!” — Amos 4:12
There is a man in his late 70’s living near me who has been retired for over 20 years. Recently he has been attending church, but previously he was disinterested in – even opposed to – hearing the gospel. There was no place in his life for “religion.”
In the last few years this man has spent much of his time restoring antique automobiles. He has three in two of his garages. He is a meticulous worker and can tell you all about the cars, about what he is doing with them and where to get parts for them. His goal is to finish these restorations, but due to health challenges, he may not.
Most of this man’s time and energy are consumed on “rebuilding the past.” But what about the future? Has he given that any thought? Why are so many people careful about the present and fond of the past, yet in denial about the future? Oh, they may have retirement accounts, health insurance, life insurance, wills, burial plans and such. They may think they have prepared for the future in this way. And they are right, when it comes to this life. But what about the REAL future – ETERNITY? Have they prepared for that? Have you? Ignoring the future will not make it go away!
The Bible tells us that “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27 NKJV). The natural course of life ends in death; our bodies die, but our souls live eternally. Where our souls spend eternity is determined during our lives here on earth. We get to choose either heaven or hell!
Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” (Jn. 5:24). We can escape judgment simply by believing on the Lord Jesus as our Savior; He suffered on the cross so we could have our sins forgiven by God. Our sins demand death, but He died in our place, having no sins of His own.
The Bible also says, “I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it ... And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books ... And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:11-15).
Where will you be on that day? If you have believed in the Lord Jesus as your Savior, you will be delivered from God’s judgment (Jn. 5:24) and will be with God in heaven. If not, you will stand before Jesus Christ as Judge; and since your name will not be in the Book of Life, you will be cast into the lake of fire forever (Rev. 20:15). Pretty serious, right? Pretty final, too. But, thankfully, pretty simple!
God wants you to plan wisely for the future and accept the salvation He offers through His Son Jesus Christ. The time is coming when “the good old days” will be over and you will be eternally locked in the next stage of your existence, with no hope of changing places. Make plans NOW for your eternal future. “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). We can tell you more.
By Tim Van Ryn
Jesus said to His disciples, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also ... I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” — John 14:2-3,6