The Consequences Are Eternal
Key Scriptures
Isaiah 55:6-7 (LSB)
“Seek Yahweh while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
And let him return to Yahweh,
And He will have compassion on him,
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.”
Matthew 7:13-14 (LSB)
“Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter through it. For narrow is the gate and constricted is the way that leads to life, and few are those who find it.”
Most People Are Headed the Wrong Direction
Jesus never sugar-coated the truth.
He never taught that everyone goes to heaven.
He never preached universalism.
He never told people that sincerity was enough.
In fact, Jesus said something that is deeply unpopular in our culture, but eternally important.
He said most people are on the broad road that leads to destruction.
And many are entering through it.
Those are not my words.
Those are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ.
That reality should break our hearts.
It should move us to prayer.
It should compel us to evangelism.
And it should remind us that eternity is not a game.
The stakes are infinitely high.
There are only two roads.
Two destinations.
Two gates.
One leads to life.
The other leads to destruction.
And Jesus says the majority of people are traveling the wrong road.
That should sober every one of us.
Seek God While He May Be Found
Isaiah gives this invitation:
“Seek Yahweh while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.”
Today is the day of salvation.
No one is promised tomorrow.
No one is guaranteed another breath.
Life is a vapor.
Death is certain.
Eternity is forever.
The God who commands repentance also offers mercy.
The God who judges sinners also delights in showing compassion.
Isaiah says:
“Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to Yahweh, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”
What wonderful words.
Abundantly pardon.
Not reluctantly pardon.
Not partially pardon.
Not barely pardon.
Abundantly pardon.
There is mercy in Christ.
There is forgiveness in Christ.
There is hope in Christ.
But men must repent and believe.
Rejoice If You Belong to Christ
As believers, these truths should not produce pride.
They should produce humility and worship.
Paul writes in Ephesians 1:4-5:
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.”
Christian, rejoice.
If you belong to Christ, it is because God loved you before the foundation of the world.
He sought you before you sought Him.
He chose you before you chose Him.
He opened your eyes.
He granted you repentance.
He gave you faith.
Salvation belongs to the Lord.
Nothing about election should make us arrogant.
It should make us grateful.
It should make us worship.
It should make us marvel that God would save sinners like us.
Be About the King’s Business
If God has saved you, He has left you here for a reason.
You are not simply waiting for heaven.
You are an ambassador of the King.
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:20:
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
This world is not our home.
We represent another kingdom.
And while we remain here, we are called to:
Share the Gospel
People are dying without Christ.
Hell is real.
Judgment is coming.
Love compels us to speak.
Be the Light of the World
Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16:
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. In this way, let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Be Good Stewards
Everything we possess belongs to God.
Our time.
Our money.
Our families.
Our opportunities.
Our gifts.
We are managers, not owners.
One day we will stand before our King and give an account.
May He find us faithful.
Don’t Waste Your Life
After thirty-three years of marriage and decades of walking with Christ, I’ve become increasingly convinced that life passes quickly.
Careers end.
Possessions fade.
Health declines.
Earthly achievements disappear.
But eternity remains.
And there are only two things that will last forever:
The souls of men.
And the Word of God.
So don’t waste your life chasing things that won’t matter one hundred years from now.
Live for Christ.
Love your family.
Serve your church.
Share the Gospel.
Invest in eternity.
Finish your race well.
Finish The Race Challenge
Today, ask yourself:
- Am I seeking God with my whole heart?
- Am I grateful for His sovereign grace?
- Who in my life needs to hear the Gospel?
- Am I living like an ambassador of the King?
- Will my life matter for eternity?
Then pray for one person who does not know Christ and intentionally look for an opportunity to share the hope of the Gospel.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your mercy and Your sovereign grace.
Thank You for seeking us before we sought You and for choosing us in Christ before the foundation of the world.
Help us never take salvation for granted.
Give us broken hearts for those who are still on the broad road leading to destruction.
May we faithfully proclaim the Gospel while there is still time.
Help us to be lights in a dark world and faithful ambassadors of our King.
Teach us to use our time, talents, and resources for Your glory.
And may we finish our race faithfully until we see our Savior face to face.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray,
Amen.
Remember This Truth
Seek God while He may be found. Rejoice in His sovereign grace. Proclaim His Gospel. Live as an ambassador of the King. The consequences are eternal.