Now is the Time 

   “Now is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It won’t last forever. We must take it or leave it.” (C. S. Lewis) 

   Our God is not only a merciful and forgiving God but also a patient God.  He will wait for us to come to Him and rejoice when we do.  But, like they say in the commercials, this offer will not last.

   We have every moment of our life to turn to the Lord.  Some make that decision very early in life while others take many years to realize that they need God in their life.  Some finally understand at the very last moment and turn to Him with their dying breath.  God welcomes each of them to His heavenly kingdom.

   One of the events recorded in scripture that I find most hopeful is that of the so-called “good thief” hanging on the cross next to Jesus, “Then he said ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’  He replied to him, ‘Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23: 42 – 43).  As long as life remains in our body and we express our sincere desire to come to the Lord, He will forgive us our sins and welcome us to paradise.

   In his second letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul wrote, “For he says, ‘In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.’ Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 6: 2 -3 ).  Amen, now is the time, don’t wait until it’s too late.