The Death Sentence

 “Do you know that by nature we are all under a death sentence?” I turn to my oldest son, and he frowns. “I don’t like thinking about it!” he quickly responds. 

“The Bible actually tells us it’s good to think about it.” I reply.  "Solomon writes: It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart." (Ecclesiastes 7:2) 

The truth is, it is much better to take some time and think about it now, then have to experience it for yourself later. 

Outside of Christ we are all in extreme danger. Although you might not believe it your life can be over in a blink of eye. It may be a car crash, a heart attack, choking, an aneurism, a home invasion, or Jesus’s return. 

The Devil loves it when we are oblivious to the danger we are in, oblivious to the death sentence hanging over us, oblivious to the fact that at any moment our lives here on earth may be over and we need to stand before the judgment seat of God. 

And we all have sinned. 

We are all guilty. 

We are all deserving of eternal death. 

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 

And outside of Christ there is only everlasting torment and destruction. 

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Thessalonians 1:8 

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Mark 9:44 

If we would but for a moment hear the wailing and gnashing of teeth of those in hell, would we not be filled with fear and horror? 

And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:50 

Would we not take all our time and energy and not rest till we had found a way of escape? 

The Philippian Jailer, when faced with his imminent death had the correct response when he cried out: Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Acts 16:30b 

The people in the book of Acts when they heard of their sin against God and their impending judgement had the correct response when they cried: Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts 2:37b 

Spurgeon says: 
“If I were doomed to die, and I had a hint of mercy, I am sure I should not set my wits to work to find out reasons why I should not be pardoned. I could leave my enemies to do that: I should be on the look-out in a very different direction. If I were drowning, I should sooner catch at a straw than push a life-belt away from me. 

To reason against one’s own life is a sort of constructive suicide of which only a drunken man would be guilty. To argue against your only hope is like a foolish man sitting on a bough, and chopping it away so as to let himself down. Who but an idiot would do that? Yet many appear to be special pleaders for their own ruin. They hunt the Bible through for threatening texts; and when they have done with that, they turn to reason, and philosophy, and scepticism, in order to shut the door in their own faces. Surely this is poor employment for a sensible man. “ (Spurgeon, Around the Wicket Gate) 

There is only one way we can be saved: 
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12 

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 

He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: John 1:11-12 

Don’t neglect your only Hope. Don’t reject Him. Believe in Him! Receive Him! 

Are you afraid that is presumptuous? Then remember, you can’t steal a free gift! You can however neglect Him and reject Him and pay eternal consequences. 

For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2 

For How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; Hebrews 2:3a 

And for those of us who have received Him and believe on Him what better way to spend thanksgiving than reflecting on this unspeakable Gift. The unspeakable Gift that changed everything. 

 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable Gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15