A TRAGIC DEATH
May 1, 1994. Formula One racers are competing in the San Marino
Grand Prix in Imola, Italy. At the outset of the race, two cars
become entangled; the fallout leaves several
spectators injured. Several laps pass under the yellow flag as the
track crew cleans up the wreckage. As cars return to normal racing
speeds of nearly 175 m.p.h., tragedy strikes.
The Williams-Renault car driven by Ayrton Senna misses a turn and
slams violently into the retaining wall. In the minutes following
the accident, Senna gives little signs of
life as he is taken away by helicopter. Several hours later, the
reality is confirmed: Ayrton Senna is dead.
A TERRIBLE MISTAKE
Death - always a tragic event. Yet we give little
thought to it or to the hereafter until serious illness or death
touch us personally. When forced to consider our own mortality, we
often feel that our chances of entering into heaven are better than
most people’s. Even those who live quite contrary to “church
morality” assure themselves that they have a good chance of getting
into heaven because they are as good as the “hypocrites who go to
church.” Some believe that God will weigh their good works against
their bad works, and if the former weighs more, they will enter into
God’s heaven. Is this really what God has revealed in His Word?
A TREMENDOUS NEED
Jesus said, “They that are whole need not a
physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous,
but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:31-32) Who did Jesus come
to help? He came to help sinners. In order to be helped by Jesus, a
person must recognize the fact that he has a sin problem. Though he
may not have robbed a bank or killed someone, he still manifests the
evidence of innate sin: he lies when he thinks it necessary, has
evil thoughts toward others, can speak cruelly toward even those he
supposedly loves, and if not other things, is in rebellion against
God’s ruling in his life. Who has this problem? Romans 3:23 declares
that “...ALL have sinned...”, whether they be religious or
non-religious. What are the consequences of the problem? Romans 6:23
tells us that “THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH; but the gift of God is
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The penalty for our
sins is death: separation from God, physical death, and eternal
punishment in the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15) What is the
solution? Jesus came to call sinners to “REPENTANCE”, a word which
means to turn from our sins and decide to go in the right direction
as revealed in the Bible. By His death, burial, and resurrection,
Christ has satisfied the demands of a holy God and offers a “FREE”
pardon (it’s not earned or bought) to those who choose Him rather
than sin. As a person turns from his wrongdoing and rebellion
against God, and puts his total confidence in the work of Christ for
forgiveness, and then confesses Jesus as Lord, a word meaning
“Master”, he receives the gift of eternal life. (Romans 10:9-10).
A TERRIFIC TRUTH
Yes, death is a tragic event. But for those who turn
wholeheartedly to Jesus Christ, death is not the end, but only the
beginning of eternity with God. Because Christ triumphed over death
through His resurrection, those who put their faith in Him can share
in this greatest of victories - that of victory over death. If you
have never turned to Him in faith and repentance, would you not
consider this most important decision of life?
Still have questions? Click
HERE for an audio
explanation of salvation by Evangelist Dave Young.
Written by: Dr. Ed Christy,
Missionary to France |
Still have questions? Click
HERE for an audio
explanation of salvation by Evangelist Dave Young.
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4700 Rucker Boulevard
Enterprise, Alabama 36330
334-347-1851 |