Most of us in this life have many fears and worries. We worry about paying our bills, keeping our jobs, school, exams, our health and many things. Can you imagine owing huge amounts of money knowing full well that you will never ever be able to pay that debt off. You live in fear of bailiffs knocking on the door and throwing you out in the street. And then someone comes along and writes you a cheque for ten million pounds! That would be great wouldn’t it. Just think what you could do with all that money besides throwing a wad of fifty pound notes in the bailiff’s face. That would be better then winning the jackpot in the lottery several times over!

Now let me challenge you..Can you think of anything better then that?

That’s enough money to keep you happy for the rest of your life… and then what?

Our lives are only temporary. We are not going to live forever. The wealth that a rich person has will not be with them forever. The money worries that a poor person has will also not be with them forever.

Hold that thought in your mind. Here is my story…
It was the early hours of Sunday morning. Saturday night out with my friends was now over and I was now back home. During Saturday afternoon I had a terrible argument with my girlfriend on the phone. Full of hard heartiness I hadn’t listened to her requests to spend time with her. The thought of going out with my male friends and behaving like an idiot was just far too over whelming. Besides I only get to see my mates once a week. In the day I’m at work and weekdays in the evenings there’s the gym and training on top of that…

….give me a break man!

Then I remembered I was supposed to tex her to tell her I was OK. In fact I hadn’t even given her one thought in the last 8 hours. Never crossed my mind that she could be upset and worried. I will apologise tomorrow and make things right. It will be OK, no problem Aye man.

But why did I still feel so uncomfortable? Then I remembered what my Muslim friend said to me? He said you need not fear a wild beast attacking you! No need to fear losing your job or bailiffs coming round to your house! There is only one that you should fear and that is Allah! Fear Allah and do right by Him! Do it before it is too late! Life is a test! But Allah is merciful to those who are faithful to Him.

My friend in Singapore had converted to Christianity 8 months ago and is now baptised. He had accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. Many times he had told me to give my life to Jesus.

“Yeah Yeah I know I’ll get round to it!”

What an excess of ingratitude. I had lived my life up to now and not even a word, not even a thought or a glance at Jesus! If my heart stopped beating a moment or two from now. Do I know where I will spend eternity? How terrible it would be for me if I were to drop dead right now. How terrible it would be for me if this were to be my last hour.

I knew that God is merciful and out of His infinite love for us sent His only son to save us from our sins as long as we are faithful and believe in Him. All I have to do is say a prayer and I will be safe.

Suddenly a thought came into my head, in fact it was like a voice talking in my head.
“Why do you seek the Lord now when for the whole of your life He has been far from your heart. People who live for the world and not God when on the bed of death will call out to the Lord, they will seek Him but they will not find Him. God says that this will be a time for vengence not for mercy. You have had the time to turn to God, a whole lifetime. God gave you that opportunity last week, last year but did you think of Him? He was far from your thoughts. But time is up! Woe to you poor sinner!”

But I was still alive and breathing. Maybe this isn’t my last hour. What if I turned to God now and asked for His mercy? Perhaps there is a way out of my situation. I could change right now, put behind me my past life and from now on live a life pleasing to God. Is it possible? Could I work to repay God for all of my past iniquities, repay my debts bit by bit and make things right?

“Your debt is too big and cannot be repaid. Your sins are too severe for forgiveness. Your sins are like dark, opaque rotting objects in a deep pit that is filled with earth. The Lord may forgive you for some of your sins but as He digs deeper He will tremble with total disgust and shock. He will not be able to go any further. The Lord cannot help you even if He wanted to. Your rotten sins are beyond forgiveness! Beyond Salvation! Leave the pit covered! Enjoy your world life, if you can and face Gods wrath later!”

Maybe if I approached Jesus with just the least of these, He will listen to me. If I could compensate for my lesser sins – surely thats better than doing nothing at all.

Then I see Jesus in a big building with big windows. He is sitting down at a large table looking at a sheet of paper with what appears to be sketches and writing. Who are these people around Him? I see men dressed in white robes and women in nuns habits. One woman is talking to him and another is placing papers on the desk next to Jesus. The rest are walking to and forth carrying leaflets, cutlery and linen. Everyone seems to have a very pious and serious demeaner and appear to be very busy and conscientious in carrying out their tasks.

Oh wretched man that I am. How can I possibly compare myself to these who are completely blameless and righteous in the eyes of God! How condemned I feel with my weaknesses, misery and sins. How am I going to enter that building in this state. What if someone saw me? What shock and horror would they feel if they laid eyes on such a ghastly person. How can I get past them to see Jesus? And if I could what will Jesus do?

I could wait outside the back entrance. When everyone has left perhaps I will be able to see Jesus. Perhaps I could negotiate something that may lead to mercy and forgiveness for some of my lesser sins. Maybe my punishment could be reduced?

Suddenly the back door opens and a young woman, the most pious looking of the group appears. Before I could speak her face lights up with a big smile. Her eyes sparkle and she is full of joy. Pure grace and beatific radiance pour out of her.

“Our Father receives you with joy and celebration. Come we have been preparing a feast for you!”

“We have to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found” – Luke 15:31

My eyes opened, daylight was pouring through the window. I was awake, I am alive! All my worldy worries, bills, debts, relationship problems dwindled into insignificance. They did not matter any more. This is because like vapor they will disappear and become nothing.

But the true reality is “Are you at peace with Almighty God. Do you know where you will spend eternity if your heart stopped beating a moment or two for now?”

I cannot describe in words the joy I felt waking up the next morning knowing that all my sins, past present and future are now washed away. My debts are PAID IN FULL by our Lord Jesus Christ!

If you would like to accept Jesus’ free gift and become a child of God, you can pray this simple prayer of salvation now.

Lord Jesus, come into my heart and make you my Lord and Savior! Amen