If you have ever taken a class on evangelism you have probably encountered THE question. Or maybe a caring friend has asked it of you. I have personally encountered it in both places. With the approaching millennium, one hears a lot about the end times and I imagine THE question is being asked more often in our country now then it has been recently.

I remember the first time I was asked. I was in college and a friend asked me, "Josef, if you were to die tonight and find yourself at Heaven's Gate and Peter asked you why he should let you in, what would your response be?"

I thought for a few minutes and answered that I was a good person. That led to a rather lengthy discussion of why we are not justified by works. You see, even though I had accepted Jesus as my savior long before that question was asked I had never considered THE question or what the answer implied.

The last time I was asked THE question, I sat and thought before I responded. I knew the answer, but did I believe it? I believe that true salvation can never be lost. Paul wrote to the Corinthians:

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire. 1 Cor. 3:11-15

But had I truly been saved? I sat for several minutes, asking God that same question. He gave me an answer that I'm going to share with you, but first, let me ask you to consider that question yourself. Ask yourself:

"If I were to die right now and find myself at the heavenly gates of a righteous and holy God and He asked me why I should be let in, what would my answer be?"

I believe that everyone will find themselves standing before the judgement seat of a holy and righteous God. I see myself standing in line, waiting with untold billions, moving ever closer to the tall golden doors. The way the line is curved, it's impossible to see what lies beyond the doors until you are almost ready to step in. The man two up from me goes in and, after a few moments, I can hear the cheering and rejoicing of millions, even though it sounds muted coming from beyond the doors. Then the man in front of me enters the doors and I step up to them.

As he walks across the room I can see him walking toward a chair. Seated in the chair is God. An angel starts to tell God who this man is and all that he has done with his life. I listen in awe as the man's life is reviewed. He sounds like a saint. He has been faithfully married, raised two good kids. He was well loved and respected. He was a man of integrity whose word was his bond. After finishing this lengthy recitation of the man's life and virtues, the angel falls silent.

God, seated before the man, shakes His head slowly. He speaks, His voice filled with the crash of thunder and the rumble of an earthquake and yet, for all of its overwhelming power, it seems tinged with sadness. "I know him not," He says. The floor literally opens up beneath the man and he disappears into a smoke filled hole. Now it is my turn.

I tremble and my knees shake as I walk across the floor, drawn inexorably toward the judgement seat. I know that I am doomed. I am not a bad man, but I do not come close to measuring up to the man who was just condemned to the pit, so I know what my fate must be. As I get closer to the judgement seat, I notice a figure standing at God's right. As the angel starts to read out my life and starts touching upon the problems I have had and the sins I have committed, I sink to my knees in despair, my eyes weeping tears of sorrow. The angel finishes and I wait to hear the voice of doom. Then I feel a touch on my shoulders and I look up into a face filled with forgiveness and grace and hear the words, "No, Dad, this one's mine." The angels cheer and Jesus pulls me to my feet. My tears are still flowing, but now with sweet tears of joy. I do not deserve my salvation, but God grants it just the same.

Every time I think on it, I wonder at my salvation, and how marvelous and wonderful God is to give us such a gift, if only we accept it. If you haven't accepted Jesus as your personal savior, if you had any answer to THE question except that Jesus has died for your sins, then I urge you to pray right now, a simple prayer. Something along the lines of this:

"Father, I've come home. Please make me your child. I turn from my sin. I accept your forgiveness made possible through Jesus Christ by his death and resurrection. I place my faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone. I receive him as my Savior and Lord. I want to follow and serve you. Let today be the beginning of my new journey as your child and a member of your family. You have always kept your promises. Help me to keep my promises, too. In Jesus name. Amen."

Blessings and peace be with you

Josef

If you have ever taken a class on evangelism you have probably encountered THE question. Or maybe a caring friend has asked it of you. I have personally encountered it in both places. With the approaching millennium, one hears a lot about the end times and I imagine THE question is being asked more often in our country now then it has been recently.

I remember the first time I was asked. I was in college and a friend asked me, "Josef, if you were to die tonight and find yourself at Heaven's Gate and Peter asked you why he should let you in, what would your response be?"

I thought for a few minutes and answered that I was a good person. That led to a rather lengthy discussion of why we are not justified by works. You see, even though I had accepted Jesus as my savior long before that question was asked I had never considered THE question or what the answer implied.

The last time I was asked THE question, I sat and thought before I responded. I knew the answer, but did I believe it? I believe that true salvation can never be lost. Paul wrote to the Corinthians:

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire. 1 Cor. 3:11-15

But had I truly been saved? I sat for several minutes, asking God that same question. He gave me an answer that I'm going to share with you, but first, let me ask you to consider that question yourself. Ask yourself:

"If I were to die right now and find myself at the heavenly gates of a righteous and holy God and He asked me why I should be let in, what would my answer be?"

I believe that everyone will find themselves standing before the judgement seat of a holy and righteous God. I see myself standing in line, waiting with untold billions, moving ever closer to the tall golden doors. The way the line is curved, it's impossible to see what lies beyond the doors until you are almost ready to step in. The man two up from me goes in and, after a few moments, I can hear the cheering and rejoicing of millions, even though it sounds muted coming from beyond the doors. Then the man in front of me enters the doors and I step up to them.

As he walks across the room I can see him walking toward a chair. Seated in the chair is God. An angel starts to tell God who this man is and all that he has done with his life. I listen in awe as the man's life is reviewed. He sounds like a saint. He has been faithfully married, raised two good kids. He was well loved and respected. He was a man of integrity whose word was his bond. After finishing this lengthy recitation of the man's life and virtues, the angel falls silent.

God, seated before the man, shakes His head slowly. He speaks, His voice filled with the crash of thunder and the rumble of an earthquake and yet, for all of its overwhelming power, it seems tinged with sadness. "I know him not," He says. The floor literally opens up beneath the man and he disappears into a smoke filled hole. Now it is my turn.

I tremble and my knees shake as I walk across the floor, drawn inexorably toward the judgement seat. I know that I am doomed. I am not a bad man, but I do not come close to measuring up to the man who was just condemned to the pit, so I know what my fate must be. As I get closer to the judgement seat, I notice a figure standing at God's right. As the angel starts to read out my life and starts touching upon the problems I have had and the sins I have committed, I sink to my knees in despair, my eyes weeping tears of sorrow. The angel finishes and I wait to hear the voice of doom. Then I feel a touch on my shoulders and I look up into a face filled with forgiveness and grace and hear the words, "No, Dad, this one's mine." The angels cheer and Jesus pulls me to my feet. My tears are still flowing, but now with sweet tears of joy. I do not deserve my salvation, but God grants it just the same.

Every time I think on it, I wonder at my salvation, and how marvelous and wonderful God is to give us such a gift, if only we accept it. If you haven't accepted Jesus as your personal savior, if you had any answer to THE question except that Jesus has died for your sins, then I urge you to pray right now, a simple prayer. Something along the lines of this:

"Father, I've come home. Please make me your child. I turn from my sin. I accept your forgiveness made possible through Jesus Christ by his death and resurrection. I place my faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone. I receive him as my Savior and Lord. I want to follow and serve you. Let today be the beginning of my new journey as your child and a member of your family. You have always kept your promises. Help me to keep my promises, too. In Jesus name. Amen."

Blessings and peace be with you

Josef