First Baptist Church, Fort Payne
I drove to Key West, Fla., this summer. Key West, while not exactly paradise, is one of the places I had always wanted to visit. My wife and I saw the usual sights one sees at Key West, especially the sunset at Mallory Square and the southernmost point of the United States — only 90 miles from Cuba. I confess that while walking through Old Town, I was grateful that I live in Alabama.
Most of all, I enjoyed the drive through the Keys. The clear, bluish-green water was a fascinating and intriguing sight. My favorite view was from Seven Mile Bridge.
As I drove across Seven Mile Bridge, I thought of the tremendous work, commitment and even sacrifice of life it must have cost to construct. Immediately I thought of another bridge, a spiritual bridge. This bridge to real paradise is Jesus Christ, who said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). He is the spiritual bridge to know and to experience God. The way to enter this spiritual bridge is faith in Christ and His saving work on the cross, including His death, burial and resurrection. Like Seven Mile Bridge, there are no stop signs on this bridge to paradise. As Jesus said, “… whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37).
No one forced me to cross Seven Mile Bridge. I knew, however, that it was the only way to reach Key West by automobile. I made a personal decision to continue. I needed and wanted to arrive at my destination. No one can force you to cross the spiritual bridge to fellowship with God. It must be a personal choice. You must recognize your spiritual need and the Father’s wonderful grace in providing a way to Him.
Our 6-year-old granddaughter, Jordan Belle, recently asked, “What is sin?” After informing her that sin is disobeying God and that sin separates us from Him, we asked, “Have you been reading about sin?” She replied, “No, I’ve just been thinking about it.” I breathed a silent prayer that the Spirit would convince her of her need of a savior and that He would lead her to a personal faith in Jesus Christ. I want her to cross that bridge on her own.
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