Disclaimer: This article is based on the Gospel Tract titled "God’s Love Letter" published by Deeper Christian Life Ministry.
That Tuesday morning was a special one for Anthony. He had received a call from the Federal Agency for Environmental Protection informing him of a half-a-million-dollar contract he had been awarded. His excitement knew no bounds. He couldn't believe that his dream had finally come true. In the last nine months, he had literally spent the better part of his life on this contract. He had invested his time, his money, his talent, his mind - everything. The contract was his lifeline to prosperity and he grabbed it with both hands. Now that he's won it, he would paint the city red; he was on top of the world.
He dressed up briskly and hurriedly left his apartment to meet up with two of his clients that he needed to brief about the good news. As he rushed towards his dusty red car parked on the other side of an overcrowded street, a preacher approached him and began talking about Jesus Christ and God's plan for salvation.
"Look, Mr. Preacher," Anthony countered, with a mischievous smile. "I really don't need this Jesus thing this blessed morning. I have some clients I need to see right away." He paused to study the preacher before continuing, "By the way, I'm in cloud nine right now. I am the happiest man on planet earth. So, you see, this is the moment for celebration, not for sermons. I trust I'll have another opportunity to patiently listen to what you have to say about this Jesus. Let Him wait, okay?"
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With that, he got into his car, turned up the volume of his car radio and zoomed off. Unfortunately, he didn't get a second chance to hear about Jesus. Late that fateful Tuesday, news filtered in that on his way back from meeting with his clients, Anthony was Involved in a ghastly car accident. He died on the way to the hospital.
How tragic. But you'll agree that such is the unpredictability of life. Anthony had no time for religion; he had no time to listen to the Gospel of salvation; he didn't even have any spare time for Jesus; but alas, he found time to die!
Anthony's story is a sad reminder of the brevity of life on earth and the certainty of death. The Bible says that human life is like a vapour "that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away" (James 4:14). It is painful that Anthony didn't get to enjoy the benefits of the contract he had laboured so hard to get. Yet, what is more tragic about his sudden death is his lack of preparation for his eternal destiny. By divine providence, he was given a last-minute opportunity to hear the Gospel message and give his life to Jesus Christ but he misused it. He sacrificed his eternal happiness on the altar of temporary pleasures.
Friend, God has given you an opportunity to prepare for eternity by putting this tract in your hand. He has given you a unique chance to decide where you will spend eternity. What will you do with it? Will you be wise or otherwise? Your eternal destiny is only determined by the choice you make now. The idea of purgatory of the belief that there will be another opportunity to repent of one's sins after death is both realistically and biblically untrue. The Bible affirms that death is the end of all opportunities: "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). While a person lives, he may have many chances to hear the Gospel and be saved, but there will be no second chance to repent after death.
Learn from Anthony; life is too short to gamble away. Don't postpone your day of salvation because you may never have another opportunity. There is no better time to settle the issue of your eternal salvation and destination than now. What will it profit you if you gain everything in this world but lose your soul?
God loves you and He doesn't want you to perish (John 3:16). Repent now! "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18). Acknowledge that you're a sinner, confess and repent of your sins, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, and you will be saved.
