Decision Today

Sept. 09, 2013 Monday Message:

We’ve been looking at the most-asked Bible/Christianity questions, and #2 is, “Couldn’t I make my decision when I’m closer to death?”

The thinking is that you could live your life YOUR way, do all the (bad) stuff that brings you short-term pleasure, and then – at the very last minute – call out to Jesus to rescue you. This is sometimes called “Deathbed Repentence,” the close cousin of “Foxhole Conversion.”

A lot of people want to be in charge of their own lives until something goes terribly wrong. Every time there’s a crisis in our country (think 9-1-1,) our churches fill up. When faced with peril, great risk or imminent death, people are more open to hearing about Jesus. They were belligerent throughout life – “I don’t need God,” – “I don’t have time for Jesus.” But when faced with death, sadly, it’s: “I don’t have a plan.”

Yes, deathbed conversion is possible. When faced with death, the thief on the cross, realizing that Jesus was THE ONE, pleaded, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus told him, “Today you will be with me in paradise!” Now, did the thief get to heaven by going to church? No! Did the thief get to heaven by being a good person? No – he was, after all, a THIEF! He got into heaven by asking Jesus to go to bat for him. Faith in Jesus is the only way a person gets into heaven.

Remember that the thief was contrite; he admitted his crime, and knew that he deserved the punishment. But I worry that most Deathbed Conversions are a reaction to fear and uncertainty, and not really a true commitment to make Jesus Christ Lord and Savior one’s life. It’s grasping at straws - a knee-jerk reaction to imminent death, suddenly talking the talk, without ever having walked the walk. That’s why today is the accepted day to get right with God.

May you and Jesus get on a first-name basis today.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers every Sunday at 10:30am in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. Sunday, Sept. 15, Pastor Pilla opens up Luke Ch. 14. Join us!

NL