Think about it: Those 32 people killed at Virginia Tech University…Who would have dreamed that, when they were born, that about 20 years later, they would be gunned down in a classroom, by a person from South Korea…a country half-a-world away, that almost none of us would have even known where it is, if we hadn’t had a “war situation” there around 1950! I was in college on a track scholarship at that time, and I left to volunteer for service, then came back to graduate a few years later.

Cho wanted publicity and notoriety, and he got it. That’s all the news and commentators could talk about for days. And just before that, Anna Nicole kept the headlines for weeks. There are many ways for life to end. And just as certain as life’s ending, is stated in the Bible; “And after that, the judgment.”

Who was it who said, “Only two things are certain; death and taxes?” I believe it was Will Rogers, who kidded our politicians back in the 30’s. Well, he was right, up to a point. Because another thing is certain, and I’ve just said it…”After that, the judgment.” There will come a time, and even many scientists agree now, that the end of this world is very near. And a great Judgment Day will be part of that. Each of us will stand before Christ, either to hear Him say, “Thou good and faithful servant,” or “Depart from me…I never knew you.”

Cowboys didn’t want to die with their boots on. They hoped that their last breath would be in a bed; not at the end of a rope. We hope the same, and so we remind you that now is the time to show Christ which side you’re on, and prove it by the way you live. All that’s required is repentance for your past (because no matter how good you’ve been, lives are sinful until we repent…and then begin living as Christ tells us in the Bible. Going through that action in church is fine, but don’t wait until then. Talk to Him now, then you can make it public when you go to church afterward. Since we don’t know when a breath will be our last, go ahead now and take care of the most important act you’ll ever do…giving your life to Christ.

Where to go to church? I always tell you to pick a church where they encourage you to read the Bible for yourself. I’d be happy to see you where I go to church; at First Assembly here in Butler.

37BT Bill Thornton April 20, 2007