I remember many years ago (probably about 38 years), I was a
young man, with not a lot of resources but dazzled by what one might obtain in
a lifetime.
I drove a truck for an Industrial Supply Company, for a
living and had stopped in a parking lot one day to eat my lunch. Well I was sitting
there minding my own business when an enterprising fellow came knocking on my
truck window, and proceeded to show me his great selection of watches he had
for sale.
He asked me what kind of watch did I think was one of the
best made, and well my Dad had mentioned if a man could buy himself a Longines
watch he’d have him a great watch a decent value. The fellow jumped right on
that suggestion and proceeded to show me a “blue faced Longines” and told me it
just happened to be on sale that day, and I could take it home with me for only
$25! Well, I managed to talk him down to $20, and gladly parted with my money.
Proud of my purchase, I couldn’t wait to show my Dad the
great deal I had made, I found a reason to make it by my parents’ house that
afternoon. I showed my Dad the watch, and well he was not impressed. He told me
first of all, I should buy an important item like a watch from a reputable jeweler,
not some thug in a parking lot; Then he proceeded to point out to me that the
blue face was too light in color, and the name on the watch was “Longenes” not
Longines. I’d been taken, defrauded, ripped off! What I had was a complete
fake!
There are people who are the same way, in every situation,
in every walk of life; People who defraud for many different reasons, and in
many different ways. Some are very good at “faking” their way, and fool many
people, some even leave this life without human discovery of their fraud.
But it’s not that way with God; Scripture tells us, “it is
appointed unto man, once to die, and after this, the judgement” (Hebrews 9:27),
so there are no do-overs!
Salvation isn’t genetic or communicable, but a decision each
person must individually accept or reject. “For the wages of sin is death, but
the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23)
God can’t be fooled, the only person you
will fool, is yourself! “21 Not every one that
saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that
doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me
in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name
have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I
profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity
(Matthew 7:21-23)
Today is the day of salvation; choose you this day, whom you will
serve!
