If you are reading this, I know you are still in the race, the greatest race in history-- the human race. You've probably heard it said that when people's lives are recorded on their gravestones, there's your birth date, and the date of your death, with a little dash between. It's that little dash that we're making right now.
Every thinking person wonders about life at times. Is there a purpose to it? And what about our destination? The race is on all right--at sixty seconds a minute twenty four hours per day. Whether we are awake or asleep, we are heading from the one date to the other. And life seems to go faster all the time. But where are we going?
One popular view says: there's nowhere to go. Live this life to the full, because when it comes to the end, that's all there is. Heaven and hell are myths, they say. To which we respond: Do you know that for sure? That view doesn't seem to make sense to most of the human race. Can we believe that life is a trip to nowhere?
The painting by Glenn Hayes on the top, entitled "New Life for Olds," is a modern day parable. Life's race begins with an uneven start: we're all born with varied equipment, upbringing, and opportunities. The road trip also has its share of surprises, potholes, and problems. And then there is the sudden stop.
It is possible to have, like the old rusted car, the realistic hope of a new beginning? Can there be new life for us? The Bible says it certainly is possible. But it won't do just to try and improve this present life we have. What we need is a whole new life--eternal life. For that, said Jesus, "You must be born again" (John 3:7)
How can we receive this new life? Surprisingly, it isn't what most people think, by trying to do your best. It is no more by personal effort than it would be for the ruined car to remake itself to be like the restored one. This life must be received as a gift. "For the wages of sin is death (i.e.., we've earned our separation from God); but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) Unearned and Unreserved, we need to receive this gift of forgiveness by agreeing with God about our sin and asking for new life in Christ.
Do you see the Bible verse on the restored car's front license plate? Here's how it reads: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." Why not today?
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