Went on a milk run to Braums tonight. It was no ordinary milk run. It was an eternal search and rescue mission. I pray that every time I step outside of my house, it turns into an eternal search and rescue mission.
When I put the milk jugs on the checkout counter to check out, Bryant came over to serve me. I always love it when they have name tags on because it helps me get the conversation going.
I struck up a conversation with Bryant. If you're warm and friendly to people, they'll be warm and friendly to you, too, usually. He was.
He admitted without the slightest offense that he didn't know where he would go if he were to die tonight. He hoped he would go to heaven, as do most people. I asked him who he thought would go to hell. "Sinners?" he asked. "That's right," I said. I told him that we've all sinned against God and deserve the penalty for sin which is hell.
I asked him if he knew what Jesus said to do to go to heaven. He didn't know. Sadly, most people don't. They just assume all will work out in the end, not realizing that Jesus said people who are not born again through belief and repentance are already under God's just condemnation and wrath (John 3:3, 36). I asked him if he wanted to know. He did. So, I had the joy of explaining to him the full gospel.
I asked him if he believed that Jesus died on the cross to penalty for his sins so he doesn't have to (1 Cor. 15:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:21), and he said yes. Then I told him that in order to be saved he needed to repent (Mk. 1:15; Lk. 13:5; Lk. 24:46-47; Acts 2:38). I urged him to repent (cry out to God for forgiveness of all of his sins and turn to follow Jesus) before it's too late, because he doesn't know how much time he has left, and he should spent every moment of it following Jesus.
I asked him if he knew how to follow Jesus. Stay on the right path, he suggested. That's right, I said, and you do that by reading God's word daily and asking the Lord to help you understand and obey what you read (John 8:31-32; John 14:21).
No comments:
Post a Comment