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What are the chances?
We play the lottery for years and have nothing to show. Our coworker buys one ticket, and a Mega Lottery win fills his pocket.
Our hotrod friend ignores speed limits and good driving habits, burning rubber and having fun for years. Our first romp on the gas, and we’re forking over money for a huge fine.
When’s the good luck going to fall in our lap? When do we get the goods, the cash prize, the leeway to enjoy life to the fullest without repercussion?
Why does cancer hit us at 35, housing prices fall just as we are transferred from our job, and our car turn out to be a lemon? What happened to the good graces of our heavenly Father?
Mark 14:72 is our warning note:
“And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.”
God’s graces aren’t about our physical world. Jesus came to redeem our souls. When our focus gets off our earthly surroundings and becomes centered on the people who walk at our side, the chances are 100 percent we’ll find success in this life. The book of John gives us four important words from our Savior:
John 14:28 points away from material possessions and the happiness they can give. Things become hollow. Only the spiritual will endure.
“You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.”
John 8:14 reassures us that lack of understanding is no hindrance to following in the footsteps of Christ. His godhood is assured, and our duty is to walk after him.
“Jesus answered, ‘Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.’ ”
John 20:17 desires us to pay attention to the people who surround us. If we are wrapped up in God and forget to care for our families, friends, and coworkers, we have left the important thing undone.
“Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” ’ ”
John 13:38 is our warning that our time to act is now. Delay is disastrous. Our love is needed in the moment, and once we let it pass us by, it’s gone forever. It’s not too late to change now.
“Jesus answered, ‘Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.’ ”
What are our chances for making it to Heaven? Pretty good, if we heed the warnings of Christ. Even better, we can take a lot of people with us, if we only extend the hand of Jesus’ love and compassion unto them every day.
Salvation isn’t a lottery. It’s a sure thing, if we hold the hand of the Father and follow after him every day.
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Code: FGO.H.12.16.vp.esv