Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!ukma!seismo!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: taylor@homxa.att.com (Roberta L Taylor) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: at the last moment Message-ID: Date: 30 Mar 91 07:58:12 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 46 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article MAS139@psuvm.psu.edu writes: >I have always wondered about the passage concerning the robber >on the cross who was saved right before he died. If this is >possible, why should anyone be "saved" before the last moment? >What I mean is, what is the incentive to be true to the Word if >salvation can come at the last moment of life? The first thing that comes to mind is, how many of us know when the last moment will be? It's rather a gamble, isn't it, to plan on repenting at the last moment? There may not be time. I recall a group of young people that I encountered once, while out street witnessing. We told them about the Lord, but their reply was, "Oh, there's plenty of time for that later. I want to have fun now." A couple of weeks later, one of them was dead - killed in a car crash. It happened very quickly - I doubt he had time to be saved. Also, can one be sure that one *will* repent at the last moment, even assuming the opportunity? A lifetime of rejecting God can be difficult to overcome. Our character is affected by all the choices we make throughout our lives - what is to say that we'll suddenly make a 180 degree turn at the very end? Another thing (for me, at least) is that I regret any time wasted by "doing my own thing." I know I'm saved, but there have been times when I've managed to ignore what God wanted me to be doing. When I finally came back to Him, it was a terrible shock to see how much time I'd wasted, and how I'd failed Him by doing so. Fortunately, He's quick to forgive, and I know He even uses those times to teach me things...but I wonder, what might have been if I had been obedient? You ask, "What is the incentive to be true to the word?" Having tried both extremes, I wonder what the incentive is for waiting? Salvation is so much more than just a "fire escape"! :-) It's a wonderful way of life! I tend to wonder about people who see Jesus as nothing more than an escape from hell. But, to get back to your question, how about: love for God; the peace and joy that only come from knowing Him; (and my favorite:) anticipation of that day when He'll look at me and say "Well done, good and faithful servant"? ---- Roberta Taylor | You let me sing a song for you every now and then, AT&T Bell Laboratories | But I'm asking you, when are you gonna listen? Whippany, NJ | You say I never sing about anyone but Jesus taylor@homxa.att.com | Well, that's because Jesus is my song. (Anne Herring)