“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” – Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
I was coming home in the evening hours from Chicago by train back in the 70s. My seatmate was reading a book, as I turned the pages of a magazine. Suddenly the train was screeching, slowing down in the middle of the Indiana countryside. When the train eventually stopped we were told to stay in our seats. It seemed time passed very slowly as we waited to find out what had happened. That night a carload of people were killed as our train hit them.
Over the years I have thought of the people who died that night. Were they Christians, did they know the Lord? My heart aches still to this day for their families and friends. I don’t know why they were on those tracks that night. Did they not see us, were the flashing lights not working – so many unanswered questions. I’m sure they did not expect to die that night. “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12 (ESV) We need to be ready. Accidents and tragedies happen. We don’t know from one second to the next when our time will end on this Earth or how it will end. Many people think that they have all the time in the world to take the steps to ensure their eternal life. That isn’t correct. We do not know the hour when Christ will call us home. My heart aches for the people with this kind of thinking.
If we don’t know what the Bible says and teaches, how will we know what is needed to have eternal life with God? I can’t stress this enough. When things are going well in our lives, it’s easy to forget Jesus. We need to keep Him at the forefront of our lives every day.
People prepare for a vacation, an interview, and retirement. They plan their wills and where they will be buried, but many forget the most important life-changing decision they can make, choosing eternal life. If we don’t make that decision right now, then when a tragedy happens, it will be too late. The Bible tells us how to go about doing that. That’s why it’s important to read and study it. “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” – Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Help those who don’t know You, come to know You. Through Your Word show them how to choose eternity. Open their hearts and minds to the glory of eternal life with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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