First Baptist Church, Winfield
It’s never too late and one has never gone too far to receive God’s gift of salvation. Bill (not his real name) is a good example of that. Bill and I worked together at a large utility company before God called me into pastoral ministry more than 40 years ago. I never badgered Bill about becoming a Christian, though I would mention it and invite him to church. He laughed it off and reminded me that he went to church when he felt he needed to go.
More than 20 years would pass, and I would receive a call from Bill’s mother, informing me that he had been in a terrible house fire and was near death. I was leading a revival effort in another state and could not pull away for a couple more days. After the revival meeting concluded, I went by the hospital and visited Bill in the ICU. He was in terrible shape, but he mouthed these words, “I’m OK.”
Bill told me later that while lying in the fire, with whiskey on his breath, he asked Jesus to forgive his sins and make him a child of God. I baptized him when he was well enough. He regretted waiting until the fire before becoming a Christian. He and I never cease to be amazed at God’s wonderful grace. He often remarks that while we had worked together, he wanted what I had but pride kept him from accepting Jesus as his Savior.
Bill almost died without having a personal relationship with God. But God is a loving and gracious God who continues to offer salvation to any who will receive it. Although his body is partly burned away, Bill said the fire was a blessing because it saved him from an eternal fire. God doesn’t want anyone to experience that.
It does not matter if one has ever thought of receiving Jesus as Savior before or if while reading this article, he or she feels the need for the first time to do so. It’s never too late and one has never gone so far that God will not hear his or her prayer. Acknowledge your sins, confess them to God and ask His Son, Jesus, to come into your life right now, wherever you are. He will give you a new life. Just do it while it is fresh on your heart.
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