- Taken from "Sharpened Arrows.
A young man took his first parachute jump and was so enraptured with the adrenalin rush of the free fall that he neglected to pull the rip cord in time. The chute only partially opened and he landed on a freshly ploughed farmer’s field which cushioned the blow of the impact. His friends rushed to him expecting the worst, and found him seriously injured, but alive and conscious. He then declared “boy, did I blow it!”
Imagine for a moment you are standing at the open door of a plane at 10,000 feet and you have to jump. The parachute is right near the door. Will you jump without putting it on? Of course not! You know that parachute will save you from the unchanging law of gravity and you value your life and you do not wish to perish. One day sooner or later, we all must face an unavoidable “jump” when at the end of life you and I will launch out into eternity and face another unchanging law called the moral law of God. Many know it as the 10 commandments. This law was written indelibly on stone tablets and upon every human heart via our God given conscience.
God’s Word tells us that he has appointed a day when he will judge the World in righteousness and this is the standard that God himself has specified that he will judge us with. So let’s see how you do. Have you ever lied or stolen? Then God sees you as a lying thief. Have you ever looked at someone with lustful desire? then God sees you as an adulterer at heart. Have you used God’s holy name as a swear word? Then God sees you as a blasphemer. Have you hated anyone? Then God sees you as a murderer at heart. We’ve only looked at 5 of the 10 commandments. How did you do? Would you be innocent or guilty on judgment day?
The Bible exhorts us to “put on the lord Jesus christ”. he is like our “parachute” - God’s only provision for us to go free from the demands of eternal justice. There is no other way. Religion, good works and your own morality fall far short of God’s holy requirements, and are like parachutes with holes, completely unable to save you. How foolish and terrifying to jump from a plane without a parachute when one is readily available. Christ was crucified and rose again from the dead for your pardon and forgiveness. How foolish to neglect taking this provision by faith that God has provided. To reject God’s amazing love gift of pardon and peace with him will be to add to your condemnation on the day of Judgment. If you die in your sins, there are no 2nd chances, and it will be terrifying to “fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31) and face his holy, unchanging justice. Your final destiny will be the “lake of fire” which is the “second death” (revelation 20:14-15).
Today, please repent, turn from your sin and trust Christ’s finished work on the cross as full payment for your sin and God will cleanse you from every sin you’ve ever committed and grant you his gift of eternal life. If you cry out to God from the sincerity of your heart and depths of your soul now - “O God, be merciful to me a sinner. Thank you Lord Jesus for loving me and paying the penalty of my sin on the cross. The best I know how, I trust You as my Lord and my Saviour. Help me to live for You and obey Your Word from now on. amen.” Please, don’t blow it for eternity. Humble yourself and trust in Jesus today. You may not have tomorrow. God wants to give you a brand new life that lasts forever. His love leaves the choice with you. View the full graphic version of the tract on our website - http://www.sharpenedarrows.com