Every gift has an expiration date - even free ones
It’s never too late to turn to Jesus. But just because the offer is open to everyone doesn’t mean there isn’t a time limit.
Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. (Mark 8:34)
I had a birthday in October, and leading up to the actual day, I received a ton of notifications on my phone. A free drink at Starbucks. A free dessert at Chick-Fil-A. Shoot, even a free burger at Red Robin. If I were more organized, I could probably get three free full meals on my birthday!
But I had a problem. I didn’t have time to get to all of those different places to get my free stuff. It wasn’t like they just gave it to me and it showed up on my doorstep; no, I had to pick which ones I got because I only had so much capacity.
Even though they were free, I still had to choose which ones I wanted.
Just because a gift is free doesn’t mean you can be passive about it. Every gift has an expiration date, and if you don’t take it when it’s offered to you, eventually your time will run out. The offer won’t last forever.
But that’s not the case with salvation, is it? There’s no expiration date on that.
Or is there?
Look, throughout all of Scripture, there is never anyone who went to Jesus or who turned to God sincerely who was turned away. It’s never too late to turn to Jesus. It doesn’t matter how old you are, how bad you’ve been, how lost you feel.
But just because the offer is open to everyone doesn’t mean there isn’t a time limit on it.
None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. None of us know when we’ll take our last breath. And, sure, like the thief on the cross, you could choose Jesus at the last second, but are you willing to bet your eternal soul on that?
A day is coming, much sooner than any of us realize, where time will run out for the whole world. It’s closer now than it was. And God’s judgment comes, I’m not sure salvation will be an option anymore.
You have the opportunity to accept His salvation now. Today. So why put it off? I’m sure there are many reasons to delay, but if you read the Bible and know what’s coming, there are no reasons good enough to keep waiting.
It’s free. You don’t have to earn it. You can’t buy it. There are no strings attached. But, my friend, you still have to choose it.
Questions for Reflection
What reasons do people give for putting off choosing Jesus?
Why do you think God’s gift of salvation had to be free?
Why do you think it’s so important for us to have the free will to choose God’s salvation?
Weekly Memory Verse