“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”
—Hebrews 9:27
THE DEATH OF a loved one, a friend, a relative, or a neighbor ought to cause each of us to stop and reflect upon our own mortality. As Moses declared in Psalm 90:11-12, “Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” As James teaches, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). The death of a fellow human being ought to cause each of us to cry out to God like the tax collector in the temple, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” (Luke 18:13). We all need God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness because we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) who have broken God’s Law and we all know we will soon die and face our Creator. “For the living know they will die” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:13). “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
DID YOU NOTICE the words “but after this the judgment”? How are you planning to escape the judgment of God against your sins? Are you planning to stand in your own efforts, your own supposed goodness? The Bible is clear regarding the forgiveness of sins –Jesus Christ is the ONLY way of forgiveness with God. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). “Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many” (Heb. 9:28), and all who trust in His perfect law-abiding life and sin-atoning death have full forgiveness of their sins and are reconciled to our Holy God. “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).
DON’T BE DECEIVED, death and judgment are a breath away for all the living. As David declared, “But truly, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death” (1 Sam. 20:3). Therefore, I “implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:20-21). Run to Jesus while you still have time. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Call out to Jesus for grace, mercy, and forgiveness for He has promised rest, righteousness, forgiveness, and everlasting life to all who come to Him by true faith. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:28-29).
Tuesday Encouragement: August 27, 2024
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry