Don’t Wait
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
-- 1 Thessalonians 4:13
Death is everywhere. A woman lost her husband to a sudden illness. Parents grieve for a young man gone too soon. Teammates, friends and family members walk around in shock. We are so unprepared.
Yet, why are we so shocked? Death comes to all of us. It’s the one guarantee of this life. We don’t know when. We don’t know how. But death will one day knock on our door and demand its price.
Are you ready? Do you know Jesus? He’s the One who defeated death. When death arrives, it will be too late to decide.
The Apostle Paul told the Thessalonians not to grieve the way those who don’t know Jesus grieve. While goodbyes are painful, we have the hope and reassurance that the goodbye isn’t forever. We’ll see those we love, those who know Jesus, again one day.
And there it is. Those who know Jesus. It’s not enough to be a good person. It doesn’t matter how much money you have in the bank or how much property you own. It doesn’t even matter how much your family loves you. All that matters in that moment of death is whether you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
“I’ll take my chances.” How many times have I heard somebody say those words?
“He (or she) was such a good person. I’m sure he’s in heaven.”
“He attended church regularly. I never saw him read the Bible or even participate in a Bible study but I’m sure he was good. He went to church after all.”
News Flash: Attending church doesn’t punch your card to heaven. Nor does being a good person. And rolling the dice on your chances is a sure ticket down below.
The only question that matters is whether you love Jesus. Have you accepted Him as Lord and Savior? Have you accepted His gift of salvation? Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God who came to earth, lived a perfect life, died a horrific death on the cross, and is now raised from the dead and seated at God’s right hand? Don’t wait until your day is done to examine your heart.
And don’t wait until it’s too late to have hard conversations with the people you love. They may not hear you. They may brush aside your questions and your prayers. That’s their right. But at least try.
The only way through unbearable grief is knowing that our separation is only temporary. Don’t wait until death calls your name or the name of someone you love.
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