Column by Bro. Terry Ivy
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden not your hearts.” (Hebrews 3:15) It may simply be a matter of getting older, but it seems I am experiencing more death of loved ones and friends than I ever remember. The pain of losing a loved one is unthinkable to the families; however, none of those who knew the Lord would choose to return from the beauty and rest they are experiencing with Jesus in heaven. However, I am convinced they would want to warn us to not play around with life and death!
All of us would be wise to consider the brevity of life. We are not guaranteed tomorrow or long life. Death does not discriminate based on age, ethnicity, or riches. We are all marching toward eternity—some will arrive much earlier than others. I lost a brother when he was 43, my best childhood friend at age 9, and my best Junior High friend at 12. We all are sprinting toward eternity. Today, if you hear his voice!
I plead with everyone reading this to not let the vanity of pride, possessions, and careers plunge you toward neglecting the most important issue in life—a right relationship with Jesus Christ. He is ever merciful, gracious, and long-suffering. He calls us to turn from our sin and receive Him by grace through faith. He longs to reveal to us what ‘real living' is about. He will change our hearts and desires by transforming us from the inside out. He alone has the power to give us eternal life. Today, if you hear his voice!
According to Billy Graham, many people will go to hell through the foyer of the local church—failing to actually surrender their life to Jesus as Lord and Savior. We see them all around us. People who claim to be Christians but whose life is no different from the crowd that worships sports teams, hobbies, drunken parties, or life in a nightclub. Church membership, shallow commitments, or a grandmother’s prayer will not save us. We must acknowledge our sinfulness, repent (turn from them) and surrender to Christ as the payment for our sin. If our life hasn’t changed, we haven’t turned to Christ. It is impossible to accept Christ and not be changed! We can’t hold on to a prayer when we were 12 years old, trust in water baptism or church membership. If we have failed to repent and follow Christ, we are headed for destruction. Today, if you hear his voice!
Let us not delay in doing business with God. Do it today…before you ‘wake up dead’ and realize that you’ve missed the boat. God loves you too much for us to not keep speaking the truth. And any preacher worth their salt will not change God’s message to fit anyone’s worldly lifestyle or rebellion. Eternity is a long time to regret not responding to God’s voice. Today, if you hear his voice! Yes… Today is the Day!
