Not “The” But “Their”

Maybe I’m wrong, but I think every person must have seen at least one movie that included a man on a street corner holding a cardboard sign displaying a message about the end of the world. When I first came to know Jesus and what he saved me from, I mean when I was finally able to grasp the weight of eternity and the pain, suffering, and endless torment of hell, I wanted to join that man. I joked with my mom about wearing a placard on my front and back with bold, black letters warning, “The time is short! Repent and be saved!” Not until just recently, though, did I discover that I misunderstood. The message wasn’t “the” time is short. The message was “their” time is short.

Think about a contract, an agreement between two or more parties for the doing or not doing of something specified. So many people have taken advantage of others, taken advantage of organizations and businesses that our society has contracts for almost every transaction. An agreement is signed to open bank accounts. A few are signed at doctor’s offices prior to a first appointment. The most obvious contracts are signed when a vehicle or land is purchased. Then, there are all those “terms and conditions” a person has to accept on social media and for electronic transactions. Does anyone actually read all that fine print? However, not one person can give me an example of a guarantee regarding the longevity of a life. How many days do I have to live? I honestly don’t know. I haven’t yet found the terms and conditions or the fine print on my life. I wasn’t able to sign an agreement when I was born. I have a certificate documenting that day. I have read that piece of paper, but I couldn’t find anywhere that promised me a certain number of days or years. So how do I respond to people who want to have fun now and accept Jesus later in life? I ask to see their contract because I haven’t yet seen one, and I’d like to.

In my life I know I’ve messed up…many times. I didn’t need the Bible to tell me I was a sinner. I may not have had the proper terminology, but I knew I wasn’t a saint. Still, I’ve learned there is a big difference between general shame and God-given guilt. The Bible says our enemy prowls around looking for someone to destroy (1 Peter 5:8). He doesn’t care, or even want a person to repent. So he’ll help you to feel bad with no apparent event or reason to point to. However, in his word God says he desires mercy, not sacrifice (Hosea 6:6). When I have experienced Godly sorrow, it was always accompanied by a specific event I could point to as the cause.

In the book of Hosea, the New International Version (NIV), the word “because” is used 23 times! The book is only 14 chapters long. Still, our Lord wanted the ancient Hebrews to know why judgement was coming upon them, not just that it was coming. I’m no Bible scholar, but I can’t think of one part in Scripture where the announcement of coming judgement isn’t immediately followed with a call to repentance. God’s heart breaks because his people perish (Hosea 4:6) and they perish because they have no knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). I’ve heard many excuses for not turning to God: Sunday is my only day to sleep in, Sunday is my time with family, church people are so judgemental, I can talk to God outside of church, I don’t have to go to church to be a Christian. Our Father’s letter to us says do not give up gathering together (Hebrews 10:23-25).

A past acquaintance told me, “God can’t forgive what I’ve done”. That excuse is simply selfish pride. Does a person really think the all-powerful and intelligent being who spoke and created the universe and all things therein is limited in his ability to forgive our shortcomings? Is anyone so much of a special case they are beyond God’s ability? Please! That’s not even a logical train of thought. Then again, Scripture says the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18). So really, my warning isn’t “the” time is short. My warning is YOUR time may be short.

Hell is far worse than we can imagine or describe. There is no parole. There is no release on bond. There is no shortened sentence for good behavior, and there is no guarantee for good people who refuse to follow Jesus. Eternity is far longer than our brains can understand. Although I’ve done many things wrong in my life, I never once felt like Jesus pointed his finger at me. Never once have I felt sarcasm from him in my spirit. I often ask my children, “Well, how did THAT work out for ya?” Jesus has never said that to me, though. Get over your pride. Take a good long look in the mirror, even if you don’t like what you see. Be honest. We’re not going to make it to heaven on our own, so let’s repent of our wickedness and live for him who died for us. How do we live for him? What’s wicked? There are several detailed lists throughout the Bible: Ephesians 5:3-7, Colossians 3:5-10, the book of James, and Revelation 21:8, to name a few. Remember, when Jesus returns this time he’s coming as a lion. He wants you with him, not against him.