"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment...."
"God has laid this text on my heart and I have been moved by God in a very definite way. He has let me know that there is someone reading this today that is not ready to meet God. He wants you to sincerely seek God for salvation, because God is soon to call you out to meet Him. I admonish you not to put off setting your spiritual house in order. "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment...."
Benjamin Franklin once said, "death takes no bribes." When your time comes all the money in this world cannot buy you one more hour. All the doctors, the drugs or even a preacher's prayer will be to no avail.
Death also takes no holiday. It may arrive any day, any hour. A tombstone on one particular grave said, "I expected this, but, not just yet." The Psalmist David knew how sudden death could come. In
1 Samuel 20:3 he states, "...as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death." Death is sudden and death is certain.
But, the Bible says that life does not end with death. Our text declares: "...after death the judgment." The Bible makes it very plain that there is a day of judgment. You may say, "I have done the best that I can. I have helped my neighbor, paid my debts; never done anyone any harm. I believe in God, say my prayers and I even to to church. I haven't committed any serious sins." All of this may be very commendable, but, the Bible says that one sin will damn you; one sin will condemn you at the judgment seat and one sin will keep you from Heaven.
John Bunyan said, "One leak will sink a ship and one sin will destroy a sinner."
One sin put Adam out of the garden...
One sin caused Cain to be a marked man...
One sin caused Moses to be barred from the Promised Land...
One sin caused Absalom to lose his life and inheritance...
One sin caused Gehazi to become a leper...
One sin cost Samson his life and rulership...
My friend, if you have not repented and sought forgiveness for your sins...this one refusal and neglect...will keep you from making Heaven your home.
A Christian was seeking to persuade a business man who was not a Christian to attend a Gospel service at his church. But, the man replied, "I don't go to church and I'm not interested in going. I spend my time on Sundays settling my accounts." The Christian very earnestly replied, "So, Sir, on the day of judgment, God will be settling accounts with you." There is an accounting day coming when all who reject Jesus Christ will have to answer to Almighty God! The scriptures declare in
Ecclesiastes 11:9, "...walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment."
Yes, there is a judge to face. The principle of personal accountability runs all through life. Children are accountable for their conduct and must be disciplined. Adults are accountable to the law and to their employers. All of us are accountable unto God. "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."
But, thank God there is hope. John 3:16 gives us hope when it says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Romans 5:8 also tells us of Gods love, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." In other words, God wanted to emphasize how much he loves us; therefore, He did not wait until we repented, but provided the Savior in advance. The only delay in your salvation, your eternal life, is your delay.
God will save you the instant, the very moment you ask Him.
The Bible clearly teaches that the only way to Heaven is to ask God to forgive your sins and to have faith that Jesus died for you and paid the full price for your salvation. You cannot save yourself by keeping laws, helping neighbors, giving money, joining a church or just by being good.
Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."
You must repent of your sins, believe on Christ as Savior and Lord, accept the gift and praise the giver, and turn from sin to the Savior.
You must be saying, "Well, I know all this, but I will give my heart to God later." Friend, don't wait until the eleventh hour. Many people have said the same thing, waiting for the eleventh hour...only to die at 10:30. Delay is dangerous! Please don't put it off any longer.
Talk to God. Ask Him to come into your heart and forgive your sins. Tell Him you are ready to turn from your life of sin and misery and are ready to accept His salvation.
A Prayer for Salvation
Dear Lord,
I admit that I am a sinner. I have done many things that don’t please you. I have lived my life for myself. I am sorry and I repent. I ask you to forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for me, to save me. I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life; to cleanse me and make me whole. Help me to live every day in a way that pleases you. I love you, Jesus. I accept you and want to spend all of eternity with you. Thank You Lord for saving my soul!
I admit that I am a sinner. I have done many things that don’t please you. I have lived my life for myself. I am sorry and I repent. I ask you to forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for me, to save me. I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life; to cleanse me and make me whole. Help me to live every day in a way that pleases you. I love you, Jesus. I accept you and want to spend all of eternity with you. Thank You Lord for saving my soul!
Amen.
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