A Life Well-Lived, Part 14; Fifty More Years

A short time before Timothy moved in with Jesus, he was standing at my kitchen bar debating with me about Bible prophecy and the last days. He and I had different views about how it would all play out at the end. “I’ve read through Revelation four times, Mom!” Timothy went on to explain about the horses of the apocalypse and what each one will do, then he ended his persuasive speech with, "Mom! We have 50 more years!” He stared hard at me, desperately wanting me to agree with him. I smiled back. I knew it would take too long for me to present all of my counter-points (I believe we will be raptured before the horses get out of the barn!). He left with a hug and a cup of vanilla chai for the road - and we never had the chance to finish our discussion. It reminded me of a conversation my dad had had with a co-worker about the book “88 reasons why Christ could return in ’88.” Dad’s friend asked him if he thought ‘88 would be ‘The Year.’ My dad said, “I have no idea when Christ will return, but the main thing is, you need to be ready to go NOW. Your day to meet the Lord could be tomorrow.” My dad said a few days later, this same man called him back and asked him the same question. Dad reaffirmed, “You need to make sure you are right with God, because you could go today, regardless of when the rapture takes place.” They talked a while longer, and when they hung up, the friend was still troubled. My dad said within a few days, his friend was killed in a tragic accident, and Dad never knew whether or not the man was saved. I know Timothy was born again and was ready to meet the Lord, but he sincerely wanted 50 more years! In reality, he had only a few weeks. How much time do YOU have? How sure are you that you will be allowed into Heaven? If you are 90% sure, don’t gamble on that last 10%! Let’s nail it down today!

First of all, you can’t be good enough to go to Heaven. “I’m a good person. I’m nice. I give to the church. I have never killed anyone,” etc. won’t get you in the gate. Salvation cannot be earned by good deeds; it is a free gift. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5). “It is by grace we are saved through faith … not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). If we could be good enough to make it to Heaven, we would be trusting in ourselves. But it is only by trusting in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus that we can enter.

As you read these verses, think about what they mean: 1. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) 2. The Wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23) 3. God demonstrates his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) 4. The blood of Jesus Christ, His son, cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7) 5. If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) 6. Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)

How do you know if you are born again? "You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit." (Matthew 7:16-18)

Once you are born again, you will begin to grow in the Lord, just like a healthy newborn baby will grow in size. If you aren't growing, there is something wrong! Are there signs of growth in your life? 1. "All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil." (2 Timothy 2:19) 2. "Don't you know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers—none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." (1 Cor 6:9-11) 3. "Without holiness no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14)

If you aren’t 100% certain where you will spend eternity, today is the day to make sure. Don’t count on 50 more years.

PS: After writing this post, I found this gem in one of Timothy’s notebooks: "At the end of my life, I would like to look back and be able to say, “This is what God accomplished through me” - ‘getting the gospel out to people.’" Son, that is exactly what is happening.

At the end of your life.

Rest in Peace.