“For the living know that they will die…”
~Ecclesiastes 9:5
In Hebrews 9:27, we read, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment…” Did you notice the words “but after this the judgment”? How are you planning to escape the judgment of God against your sins? The Bible is clear regarding the forgiveness of sins — Jesus Christ is the ONLY way of forgiveness with God (John 14:6). “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 the full forgiveness of sins and are reconciled to our Holy God through the perfect satisfaction, holiness, and righteousness of Christ. As it is written, “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 only a breath away for all the living. Solomon, a man who was granted by God the greatest wisdom a sinful man has ever possessed, wrote the following words concerning death, “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them.” “Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:1, 6-7). It’s for this very reason that the psalmist prayed in Psalm 90:10-12, “The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 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.”
Therefore, dear ones, 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 there’s still time, while you still have breath and time to believe on Jesus Christ, repent of your sins, and cry out to the Lord for forgiveness. “Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7). Jesus said, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:15). The Apostle Paul declared, “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, and forgiveness to all who come to Him by faith. As Jesus said, “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” (Matthew 11:28-29).
Friday Devotional: July 12, 2024
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
