Dear Saints and Forgiven Sinners,

“Put your best foot forward — you get one chance to make a good first impression.” That isn’t the actual quote, but it emphasizes that once the horse is out of the barn there’s no point closing the doors. 

Jesus tells the story of a rich man and a very poor beggar named Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). As the rich man’s life ticked away, he lived quite well for himself. And he completely ignored Lazarus in his extreme need even as he saw him begging each day. The rich man kept his provision to himself. Lazarus would’ve been happy to eat crumbs from the rich man’s table. The rich man feasted. Lazarus suffered. The waters of life flowed under the bridge.

Then both men died. The rich man, unconvinced God’s word called him to use his vast wealth — provided by God — to care for those in need, ended up in hell for his self-centered, sin-filled greed. In hell’s flames, Jesus tells us, the rich man suffered unquenchable thirst and merciless agony. No relief came. He’d made his first impressions in life — focused on nobody but himself — now it was too late. No way to go back to correct his sinful ways. The rich man begs to have Lazarus raised from the dead to warn his brothers. Jesus, ironically, says, “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” (Luke 16:31) 

God gives us many chances to be saved from the eternal effects of our sin. But salvation depends on believing, in this life, God’s word, “God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) This saving truth is found only in God’s word — in Moses, the Prophets, and the word of Jesus Christ. Ignore this truth in this life and it’ll be too late. However, believe God’s word, receive forgiveness through Christ — you’ll be carried to Abraham’s side in the eternal kingdom of heaven. 

                                                                        In Christ’s Love,

                                                                        Pastor Jim