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Oct 20, 2023 18:30pm

Simply Trust and Obey

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If you jumped into a pool and stayed in for only 10 seconds, what would be the result? You’d be wet.

But what if you jumped in and stayed 1 minute or 5 minutes? Or even 30? You’d still be wet. In fact, just as wet as if you had only been in for 10 seconds.

Every person that jumps in would be wet.

A friend of mine once told me that and how it boggles his mind to think about it. I’ve probably even shared it with you before, but it was the first thing that came to mind as I read this passage this morning.

Luke 13:1-5

“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

Those gathered around Jesus brought up incidents that had happened in the past. Galileans being killed or even people killed accidentally when a tower fell. Many said they deserved to die because their sins must have been greater than someone else who was allowed to live. But Jesus dismissed the notion that these things happened as a result of God’s judgment on bad people. Instead, He used the opportunity to say that all will die. Whether they are seemingly good, bad, or really bad, all people will die. And the focus instead should be on what really matters: repentance.

“Except you repent, you will also perish” – eternally.

While the law may punish crime with different levels of severity, here on earth, all sin results in one thing, death.

At death, every person will go to their eternal destination. Those who have repented of their sins and trusted in Jesus to save them because of His payment for their sins, will enter into heaven. A place of eternal life.

Those who rejected Jesus and have not been saved by Him, even those who have been “good”, will enter into hell. A place of eternal death, separation from God and all things of God. This means an eternity in darkness, pain, and torment.

Do not be deceived. Hell is a very real place. Just as heaven is. And you have the opportunity today to choose where you will spend your eternity.

Christ gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins. He paid the debt that we owed. He died on the cross and bore our guilt on Him. He paid it all! And all we have to do is accept His offer of forgiveness.

Have you?

Have you fallen on your knees before Jesus and confessed your sins, asked Him to forgive you, and repented of those sins? This means to turn away from. And in doing so, we turn to God, seeking His righteousness.

This is what salvation is all about. In return for this beautiful gift that we could never have earned, all we can offer to our Lord and Savior is a life fully surrendered to Him. His will over ours.

In our decisions.

In our finances.

In our actions.

In our thoughts.

In our words.

In our forgiveness.

In our relationships.

Every aspect of our lives, we allow Jesus to steer the ship. We simply trust and obey. We follow Him.

I pray you’ll do that today.