Jim Wolf spent more than seven years behind bars. But he spent more years than that in the bondage of sin. As a youth, Jim spent much of his time on the street selling drugs, breaking into people’s houses, stealing, lying, cheating. Those years brought a harvest of trouble. Fights. The law. Jail.
“How do you plead?” the judge asked. I swallowed. I hadn’t realized how difficult this would be. “Guilty,” I answered. Guilty. We have all felt guilty at one time or another. More than that, we have all been guilty.
Is the route you are traveling taking you away from God? If so, it’s time to make a U-turn. God asks you to repent—to do an about-face. If you don’t, the consequences will be disastrous.
Is this your answer? When I arrive at the pearly gate, I hope I will be good enough. God says, “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” (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
Jesus Christ is coming again. The Bible says so. But why is He coming? What will He do when He comes? Why should His coming be important to me or you? To help answer those questions, let’s review why He came the first time.
The nurse was businesslike, yet nice in a “we would like to have your money” sort of way. “Don’t worry about a thing,” she said. “The baby isn’t even formed yet, and the uterus contains only some bloody material.”
Joe Andrews, now middle-aged, was stopped short one day by the thought, Suppose I got everything I wanted—a better job, a new house, and more leisure time—would I be really satisfied? His honest answer was “No.”
FRIENDS, let us face the facts! This world is heading for a terrible day. God has forewarned us and provided a way of escape. If we make the mistake of not being ready, it will be our own fault.
No one can deny the fact of death. It was Ponce de Leon who came to Florida in 1569 searching for a fountain of water which would bring perpetual youth to all who drank of it. But no such fountain has ever been found. Ponce de Leon died just as everyone must die.