|
Have you had the experience of asking for directions,
listening carefully to instructions that are a bit confusing, and then
hearing the words, “You can’t miss it!”? I have found that I not only
can, but also do miss it sometimes. Sometimes I haven’t really paid
attention well enough. Sometimes the landmarks are not as described.
Sometimes my direction giver just doesn’t know what he is talking about.
One place I don’t want to miss is heaven. I am glad that I
have inspired instructions to help me get there. I don’t have to rely on
man’s instructions, `and that is especially important considering that
man gives so many conflicting instructions about how to get to this
divine destination. When I read of the grace of God revealed through His
Son, I know that if I will obey His commands revealed through the New
Testament, I will reach my destination.
When it comes to heaven, there are some who say you can’t
miss it, if you once get on the road to heaven (“Once saved always
saved”). Even without considering what the scriptures say, does that
make any sense? What road may I get on that is designed so that I cannot
choose to take a detour or a side-road, or even make a U-turn on?
I think of Demas, a trusted servant who worked side by side
with Paul, but made a choice to leave the road to heaven. “For Demas
hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto
Thessalonica” (2 Timothy 4:10). I think of Simon, a baptized believer,
who left the road very quickly. Peter told him, “Repent therefore of
this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart
may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of
bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:22-23).
Thankfully, Simon repented, and was back on the road to heaven. Other
passages to consider include 1 Corinthians 9:27; James 5:19-20, and 2
Peter 2:20-22. You can miss it—but you shouldn’t. Obey Christ and remain
faithful to the end (Revelation 2:10)!
You Can Miss It
by Bob Prichard
www.oxfordchurchofchrist.com |
