Our Pastor has told the following story from the pulpit a couple of times. I don’t remember it verbatim, so the details aren’t right, but you’ll get the gist of it:
One day Pastor picked up a hitchhiker, and since they had a long way to drive, they struck up a conversation. The hitchhiker began to tell Pastor about his life and plans.
“I’m going to college to get my degree,” the hitchhiker said.
“Then what?” Pastor asked.
“I’ll get a good job. Make lots of money.”
“Then what?”
“I’ll buy a nice car and a nice house.”
“Then what?”
“I’ll probably get married and start a family.”
“Then what?”
“I guess I’ll raise some kids. Eventually retire.”
“Then what?”
“Well, I’ll go fishing and play with my grandkids.”
“Then what?”
Exasperated, the hitchhiker said, “Well, then I’ll die!”
Pastor smiled and asked him, “Then what?”
One of two fates.
Most people don’t like to think about death, let alone talk about it, but it’s important to face reality: one day, death will come for you. You can’t escape it.
The Bible reminds us in Hebrews that we are destined to die, and then we face judgement. In Romans we’re told that we will give an account of ourselves before God. The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that after death our deeds will be judged.
It’s important to keep death in mind as you go through life, because one day you will stand before your Maker, and you will either receive His justice or His mercy.
Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies—so the living should take this to heart.
Ecclesiastes 7:2
When God judges you, no matter how good a life you led, you will not measure up to His standard. The Bible makes it clear that we all fall short, and that the penalty for this is death (see Romans chapters 3 – 6).
So if you face justice, you will be found guilty, and your death sentence will be carried out. This means you will be eternally separated from God, the source of all that is good. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mathew 13:42 / Luke 13:28).
But there is hope! God sent His Son, Jesus, to die in your place. Instead of justice, mercy is yours for the asking. If you confess that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). If you do this, then when God judges you, the righteousness of Christ will be all that He sees.
Don’t put it off.
I know it’s not fun to think about death, but it’s vital that you do, because it’s going to happen, and I want you to be prepared.
God’s invitation for mercy expires when you do. The decision to accept Christ as Lord and Savior must be made while you are alive. You won’t be able to change your mind after death when you stand face-to-face with the Almighty. At that point it’s too late; your fate is sealed.
Salvation is simple: set aside your pride, and ask for forgiveness and redemption. Trust in what Christ did for you on the cross, and acknowledge Him as your Lord. There’s nothing more to it.
If you have rejected God’s offer of mercy up to this point, I pray that God will soften your heart and open your spiritual eyes before it’s too late.
Like it or not, friend, one day you will die. The question is… Then what?
