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This question merits our most serious consideration. Paul stood before King Agrippa
and earnestly pleaded with him to become a Christian (Acts 28:26). Paul was at
that very moment in bonds for the cause which he so nobly represented to Agrippa.
Though he was a prisoner, Paul continued to persuade men to become such as he, except
for his bonds (v. 29). He could do this because there are so many wonderful
reasons to be a Christian. We shall consider some of them.
A sinner is in no condition to meet God. All responsible beings who are not Christians are sinners and are in no condition to meet God with pleasure or satisfaction. Just as certainly as God exists, we are all going to meet Him some day (Heb. 10:31). We cannot go to heaven in our sins, and even if we could we would not enjoy it. The person who does not appreciate God and godly things in this life will be wholly incapable of loving and appreciating them in the life to come. We must therefore get rid of our sins and have our names written in the Lamb's book of life (Rev. 21:27). We will not go to heaven just because we had, or still have, a Christian mother or father. Each one of us must be born again and become a new creature in Christ before we can go to heaven (Jn. 3:5; Gal. 6:15). God has provided salvation. God knew we were lost and needed to be saved. He loved us so much — even in our lost condition — that He gave His Son to die for us that we might live (John 3:16). The blood of Christ will save us from our sins and as our high priest, Christ is always before the throne of God atoning for the sins of those who obey His gospel. When we are baptized into Christ, the efficacy of His blood is applied in our behalf. But baptism must be preceded by faith and repentance (Heb. 11:6; Jn. 8:24; Lk. 13:3; Acts 2:38). When these things are accomplished, one becomes a member of Christ's church which He purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28) and is thus redeemed from sin. God offers salvation now. Jesus says, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). God has provided for our salvation and promised to save us now if we but obey Him (2 Cor. 6:2). Procrastination is extremely dangerous. So many of those who intend to obey the gospel "sometime" never live to see that time come. The prompt obedience of the Philippian jailer puts the procrastinator to shame. Reader, if you are not a Christian, do not delay the matter of your obedience to Christ. The eternal destiny of your soul is at stake. Can you afford the gamble? Life is uncertain. We are here today with no promise whatsoever of tomorrow. David expressed the uncertainty of life on this order: "...there is but a step between me and death" (1 Sam. 20:3). James expresses it on this wise: "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away" (Jas. 4:14). Many people are like the rich farmer (Lk. 12:16-21). They are so wrapped up in the affairs of this life that the eternal destiny of their souls receives no consideration. In this realm of uncertainty we must prepare for that which we know to be a certainty — death. Those who reject Christ will be judged by Him when He comes again. He is coming back to receive His own and to take vengeance on those who know Him not and obey not His gospel (2 Thess. 1:7-9). We must become Christians and remain Christians, because God does not promise unconditional immunity from sin throughout our lives as children of God. We shall all be judged according to our deeds and rewarded according to our works (2 Cor. 5:10). Won't you seriously consider your soul's salvation? Obey Christ by believing on Him as God's Son, repenting of your sins, confessing your faith in Him and being baptized into Him. |