John 7:33-36

The time for spiritual opportunity is upon us – a time will come when it will be too late. As palatable and merciful as the thought of universal salvation may sound, it is simply not true according to the Word of God. This is why Paul prompts his readers to action in 2 Corinthians – there is a time approaching for all when it will simply be too late to turn to the Savior:

1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says,
"In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor 6:1-2 (NIV)

We find this Truth from the lips of our Savior as well just a few chapters later in John:

35 Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. John 12:35-36 (NIV)

John sheds more light on Jesus’ Words above in the opening chapter of his gospel:

4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:4-5 (NIV)

While Jesus is referring in our verses for today to His earthly ministry coming to a close, we are also to relate to His Words on this side of the cross - in our time of His-story. We each are given a limited time for our feet to walk upon this dusty earth and no one is certain when their time is up. Our Savior’s Words should be just as powerful and penetrating to our spirits as well. I am reminded of the parable Jesus spoke of the wise and foolish virgins which speaks to our being prepared – Jesus calling the ready wise and the unprepared foolish:

1 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 "At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' 7 "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 9 "'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' 10 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' 12 "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' Matt 25:1-12 (NIV)

It is easy to become drowsy and distracted from life’s most important. The world, the flesh and Satan are loud and vie for both our attention and time. If one is not careful, one will miss the still small voice and one will waste a life. We can be certain that there is an hour appointed for each of us in which we will come face to face with our Maker - either Jesus will return before we die or we die – either way our time is limited. Make no mistake about it, we can be certain according to Scripture, every decision and every action and every word we do on this side of eternity affects our life now and will affect our eternal life later. No one should desire to waste their life yet that is the very thing we do by allowing ourselves to simply be entertained into hell. There is a certain tyranny in our distractions and our urgencies which masks the most important.

27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Heb 9:27-28 (NIV)

“‘You cannot come’ – This is one of those expressions which show the impossibility of unconverted and unbelieving men going to heaven. It is a place where they ‘cannot come.’ Their own nature unfits them for it. They would not be happy if they were there. Without new hearts, without the Holy Ghost, without the blood of Christ, they could not enjoy heaven. The favourite notion of some modern theologians, that all mankind are finally to go to heaven, cannot possibly be reconciled with this expression. Men may please themselves with thinking it is kind and loving and liberal and large-hearted to teach and believe that all men and women of all sorts will finally be found in heaven. One word of our Lord Jesus Christ’s overturns the whole theory.” J. C. Ryle