LIFELINK DEVOTIONAL

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

I have mixed feelings about surprises. I like surprises that benefit me. I hate surprises that scare me. One thing I know for sure…everyone of God’s surprises is for my benefit. The same cannot be said for people who are disciples of Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”

When Jesus returns it will surprise the unsaved, and it will not be a good surprise.

There is a big difference between the perspective of a person saved by the grace of God, and the person who ignores their need to be saved by the grace of God. Saved people desire the return of Jesus. Unsaved people don’t want it to happen. Saved people keep the hope of the Lord’s return on their mind constantly as they live this life in anticipation of eternity. Unsaved people choose to forget that Jesus is coming and live only for the benefits of today hoping that eternity isn’t real.

SURPRISE! Eternity is real, and it will be spent in one of two places – either in the presence of the Savior Jesus Christ, or forever separated from His presence condemned to Hell. There is nothing that can separate the saved from eternity with Jesus. There is nothing except faith in Jesus that can rescue the unsaved from punishment.

Everyone is conceived in sin and deserves eternal judgment. Jesus died on the cross to suffer God’s judgment for us. Those who confess their belief in Jesus as the Savior of their souls is rescued from judgment. There will be no surprises for the saved. There is certain destruction for the unsaved.

If you are saved, let your rejoicing surprise others.

If you are unsaved, you now know the truth. What will you do?

Pastor John