The most important decision you will ever make in your life is who or what you put your faith in. Everyone is putting their faith in something.
The days of Noah before the flood were characterized by pervasive wickedness, deceit, sexual immorality, violence, and coldness of hearts. The world was going through each day doing the same thing unaware of the approaching end. Approximately 150K people did not make it through today, and tomorrow the same thing will happen.
When tragedy and disaster happens there is often this false idea that those affected did something wrong or perhaps God was angry with them. The truth is time ran out for them and any opportunity to repent has been lost forever.
Jesus said “those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them”, do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Are You Being Deceived?
Do not make the mistake of believing that you are too smart or wise to be deceived. Eve was deceived by the serpent (Satan) in the garden of Eden and Adam listened to his wife. Why would they do something if they really believed that they would die.
Lies have the power to destroy you if you believe them. Believing the truth has the power to save you. How do you get forgiveness of your sins and eternal life? Believe God when he said salvation is only through his son Jesus Christ. Believe, obey, and be saved. Eternity is a long time!
“See to it that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” Matthew 24
The Loud Call From Heaven: Change Your Direction
Turn now and make peace with God and do not wait until it is too late. You are not promised tomorrow so take that to heart. That was the mistake made during the time of Noah as well who did not listen to the pleas from Noah to repent and make peace with God. It is a tactic of the enemy (Satan) to distract you with the problems of this world and your wants until time runs out for you.
It is like a fire coming over a hill and you run to get on a boat that is leaving. The ship master says he does not know you (there is no relationship) and turns you away. You are terrified at that point knowing it is over and nothing can save you. Not your good works, not your money, your friends, your intellect, your reputation, not even God.
That is the experience of an unbeliever when his/her life ends or any unbeliever that is still here for the return of Jesus.
There is good news however. If you are reading this, it is not too late!
There is a difference between knowing of someone and having an actual friendship. There are people in an apartment building for example, that you say hello to politely each day and probably know their name. In fact you could know a lot about them as well. If you went to their door and said you wanted to live there, they would say no, they do not know you.
The word repent means to change your direction. It is your thinking and beliefs that determine your direction. Jesus started his ministry with the message of repentance first. There is a profound change that happens when you do not make excuses and are willing to see yourself as you really are. God often makes things difficult when there is a call to repentance, so that you do not go over a cliff.
The command is to reconsider your thinking, behavior, what you believe, and ask God for forgiveness. There is a change in behavior and words, that is noticeable and persistent, when true repentance happens. The opposite of repentance is excuses, apologies, self-deception, denial, and lies.
There are two doors that close. The first is the end of your life when you leave this world. The second door is the one to heaven that closes if you have no relationship with Jesus.
This world is a temporary place that God has created, giving you a fixed amount of time to turn to the Lord. Do not make more of this world than what it is! The world system is spiritually dead and opposes God. It will keep you bound unless you turn to God.
This is life for rent. None of the riches or anything else here is really yours. Jesus said all the gold and all the silver is mine. Your very life however is what is in play.
The present creation is now passing away at a faster rate and you will perish with it as well if you are not in the Ark. You cannot live in two worlds. It is in the dark times when the grace of God is even more abundant.
What I can tell you after 25 years as a Christian is that God loves you, knows your past, and where you are now. Make peace with God through Christ Jesus for the new and everlasting life. Know peace, healing, truth, and relationship with God before it is too late. Do not harden your hearts and resist the Lord when he knocks at your door.
Christianity is not a religion. It is a faith-based relationship with Jesus Christ.
Author – Shaun Hummel