As we begin a new year here in Craig County, it’s a good idea to take an inventory of our lives. Recently I cleaned out my garage, which – although I haven’t lived here long – already was beginning to gather clutter. I have yet to clean out the tool shed, though! What a mess that is!
I’m sure some of you can relate. We put off for tomorrow those things that we don’t need to do today. It’s human nature, after all.
This week the news brought us a story of the creator of the cartoon, Dilbert. Scott Adams said that he hopes living a good life will lead him to Heaven as he announced plans to convert to Christianity in the face of terminal prostate cancer. He plans to do this as he nears the end of his life, he said, so that he would “wake up in heaven”. Sadly, he will miss that boat.
The vast majority of people in the world today have adopted the concept which was brought to America by the Puritans, the concept of hard work and living a “good life” will open the door to heaven when they die.
And many, like Scott Adams, plan to put off their decision to convert to Christianity until they are near death, so that they can “enjoy” the things they see as pleasurable, in other words – sin. In the book of Hebrews (11:25) it teaches that “sin is pleasurable for a season”, however the problem is that none of us is promised to wake up tomorrow morning.
There are many ways a person might die, natural causes, sleep, an accident, an overdose, a heart attack, sickness and many, many more. None of us have an expiration date stamped on our forehead, it is totally up to God, “n whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind!” Job 12:10.
• I can’t find any reasonable justification to risk the fires of hell for all eternity.
• Let’s repeat that – I can’t find any reasonable justification to risk the fires of hell for all eternity.
Not only that, but if we are taking stock of our lives and God is not included – we are missing out on many blessings that God offers His family. Last week I mentioned a list of 100 blessings that God brought to our church in 2025, and another list of 100 answered prayers! While answers to prayer are not guaranteed (primarily because we don’t understand how to pray or because we are harboring sin in our lives – (failing to forgive others, failing to do what God expects of us like attending church) God does answer many prayers for THOSE WHO SEEK HIM DAILY.
I like to meet new people. When I see folks, I will ask them if we have met before and strike up a conversation. When I inquire whether they are in a local church, often the answer is something like this…. yes I belong to that church on 42 (then they can’t recall the name) or our family church is the Christian/Baptist/Methodist church (which is a way of saying they don’t actually go themselves).
Sometimes families are all buried in a church graveyard and people feel that this will get them into heaven. Not so.
As you take stock this new year, remember that for most of us the days ahead are fewer than the days behind. Make sure that you are starting this year with a right relationship with God.
That means first of all that you have decided to follow Jesus. Making the decision to become a Christian starts with acknowledging that you and I are sinners – we all are. Romans 3:23 tells us that “all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God. It goes on to say that there is a penalty for sin. That penalty is separation from God Romans 6:23 says it this way…. “for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Death closes the door and the opportunity to come to Christ. It means that for all eternity we are separated from God. Since God lives in Heaven, that means a person without Christ ends up in Hell!
But there is HOPE while you are living – Romans 5:8 says that “God demonstrated His love for us in that, while we were yet sinners, (He sent His Son Jesus) Christ who died for us!”
Jesus Christ came to earth as a child, lived without sin so that He had no penalty of sin, then died a painful death on the cross to pay that penalty for you and me! He is our substitute, but as with any gift, it has to be received, accepted by the recipient.
If you don’t accept His gift, you don’t get it. You’re still living without Christ (lost) and headed for hell.
So how do we come to Christ?
Romans 10:9-10 tells us the way…. “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” (NLT)
It’s actually simple, so that even a child can do this. By repenting (turning) from our sinful ways, seeking Jesus and asking for forgiveness, then telling others about your decision, you become a Christian, a member of God’s family.
This is not about church membership. Churches are groups of Christians who gather to celebrate their relationship with Jesus and learn more about Him. Christians are not perfect people, either. As Christians, we are all still learning and growing and desire to become more like Jesus. It’s a process that takes time, but you can be assured that any church would welcome you to come and share your decision and – if you are led to – join that group.
Our church certainly does!
Finally, know that it doesn’t matter what sins you may have committee. Murder, adultery, child abuse, or worse are all painful sins in our society, but Jesus forgives every one and more. In fact, when we come to Jesus, the Bible tells us that are sins are placed into the deepest part of the ocean so that we can become “BORN AGAIN.
Romans 10:13 proclaims that “EVERYONE (yes that includes you) who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”.
How about you. In taking stock of your life today, have you made certain your plans for eternity?
Life is short, eternity is forever. Don’t miss it. This may be your final warning, by the way.
Craig Valley Baptist Church, next to Bibo’s at 171 Salem Ave in New Castle, welcomes you to visit and share in the forgiveness we have experienced. We meet Sundays at 11AM, with an upbeat service of music, sharing and preaching. You don’t need to dress up, and you won’t be asked to speak, so just come and hang out and meet new and old friends! Questions? Call 540-864-5667 or email pastor@cv-bc.com.
-Pastor Scott Gabrielson