© 2014 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

Today I stood at the hospital bedside of a friend anticipating eternity. His struggles caused me to picture all of humanity gathered in a large room. At one end was an entry through which little babies entered. At the other end was an exit. Everybody was moving from the entry toward the exit. Some moved quickly. Some moved more slowly. All, however, moved, without reprieve, toward that exit. No one in the room had ever seen what lay beyond it.

Some folks formed organizations which claimed that, if you joined their group, they could grant you blessings beyond the exit. Some of these groups were called churches. Many spent large sums of money to buy these guarantees. Others denied that there was anything beyond the exit to worry about. All, however, feared the exit as they moved irresistibly toward it. Much of the activity in the room was designed to help people ignore the exit. All sorts of exciting displays and activities rendered it almost invisible from the middle of the room.

Everyone in this room of time is a fallen person, unable to satisfy God’s requirements for holiness. There is a man, however, who is God the Son. He was and is sinless, pure, and Holy. His name is Jesus Christ the Savior. He once entered this room and took the exit, shedding His blood at Calvary as the sin bearer for all whose hearts He opens to cry out, to Him, for mercy and forgiveness. In spite of all claims to the contrary, none of the groups claiming the power to forgive sins can do so. Christ, alone, has this authority. ”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). John the Baptist stated it this way: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). No church, club, or religious leader can grant you blessings beyond the exit. Only those whose hearts Christ has filled with life, repentance, faith, and love for Him will find safety there.

As you approach the exit, do you know Christ Jesus the Savior as your redeemer, or will you experience a horrible surprise as you exit the room?

 

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