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A Dangerous Destiny

Ever since his high school years, Joe dreamed of making a canoe trip of several hundred miles down a river. Finally, he was able to set aside some vacation time, and the rest of his plans began to fall into place. His enthusiasm even convinced his wife to join him in the great adventure. Together they planned their route, culminating at a peaceful lake. He started telling everyone about his trip and planning all the details. Finally his departure date arrived, and he set off on his journey.

Along the route he stopped at various towns. At several of the villages, people warned him of a very large and dangerous waterfall further downriver.

"You'll never make it through," they declared. He ignored their cautions, however, and continued on.

Why on earth would someone pursue a path that leads to certain destruction? Isn't it because of unbelief? Rather than facing the truth, people often attempt to avoid it or make excuses. Here are some of the excuses Joe offered:

• "Why, I've told everyone I was going to canoe this river. How will it look if I quit?"
• "But this is such a peaceful and beautiful river. I can't imagine a horrible waterfall is up ahead."
• "I'll deal with the waterfall when I get there. It might not be as bad as you say."
• "My wife and I are canoeing together. What will she think if I admit I was wrong?"
• "I am a very good navigator; I think I'll be able to maneuver my way down the falls."
• "But I've already covered 150 miles! I would be throwing all that achievement away!"

Joe continued on his course, however, confident that his reasons were quite sound. But were they able to save him when he tottered on the brink of the waterfall? No. And at that point, he never had another chance. What a tragic end he met!

Of course, we can easily see his error, and say, "Well, it's so obvious that none of these excuses would do any good. He should have simply believed what those people said, and have gotten out of the river before it was too late."

Do you realize, however, that you might be in the same position as Joe was? In many ways a person's life resembles a canoe trip. At the moment we are born our journey begins. We travel through life and try to enjoy as much pleasure as we can, with a little adventure thrown in here and there. We don't like to think about what might be awaiting us at the end of our life. Death is a door through which all of us must pass sooner or later. What will happen after that?

This is one of those questions that we simply cannot afford to ignore or put off. But if we do anyway, that would be like Joe in the canoe who refused to even think about the waterfall up ahead. Yet many people, when faced with the reality of eternity and the question of where they will spend it, choose to make excuses. Some might say:

• "I've already told everybody that I don't believe the Bible; how will it look if I suddenly change my mind?"
• "But I'm still young and life is going so well; I can't imagine that I'll die any time soon."
• "I'll think about God when I'm old and about to die. Why should I worry about all that now?"
• "But my parents never believed in God. I can't imagine anything terrible could have happened to them."
• "None of my family and friends read the Bible, what will they think if I start telling them it's true?"
• "I'm basically a good person. I don't think I'll ever go to hell."
• "I've spent half my life building up my reputation and position. I'd be throwing all that achievement away if I began believing in God now."

Are these excuses really valid? Consider our canoeing friend. He chose not to believe the truth about the waterfall. Instead he made up excuses and continued on his way. He soon learned the important lesson that the truth is the TRUTH, whether you choose to believe it or not. We all know that George Washington was the first president of the United States. He will always remain the first president of the United States whether we decide to believe it or not. The truth is not subject to our opinions!

What then is the truth about our lives and our destiny?

The Bible, which is the word of God, says that in the beginning God created the earth and all that lives on it. God gave clear instructions regarding how He wanted man to live and behave. Almost since the beginning of time, however, man has demanded his own way. He has not wanted to live according to the design of his Creator. This has put him on a downward spiral that ultimately leads to death and judgment for everyone. God, being perfectly holy, has never sinned and cannot tolerate sin in His presence. This means that any person who is not equal to God in holiness can never enjoy spending eternity in heaven with Him. Rather, he is subject to God's judgment which leads to an eternity of separation and punishment in hell.

If this were our only option, life would be a terribly hopeless existence, awaiting certain doom. What a relief to learn that God has provided a way out!

The Bible says,

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world should be saved through Him." John 3:16,17

Lest any should think that God enjoys condemning mankind, 1 Timothy 2:4 reminds us that God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, down to this earth about 2,000 years ago. His purpose in coming was to bear the judgment for our sins so that we can be free. Jesus allowed men filled with hate and envy to condemn Him to death on false charges. Cruelly, these men beat Him and nailed Him to a cross, and there Jesus gave up His life for mankind. Three days later, however, He rose again and is now alive forever, proving that He fully accomplished the task He came to do.

Because Christ took our punishment, God can now offer to each of us the wonderful gift of forgiveness.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

That free gift is for each one of us individually—it only needs to be received.

What did Joe need to be saved from his dangerous destiny? He simply needed to believe the truth, and act accordingly. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." (John 14:6) He provides the solution to your problem of sin; will you believe Him, and be saved from God's judgment? It's so simple—a matter of recognizing your problem, and receiving God's solution!

Admit that you are a sinner.
Believe that Jesus died in your place so that you could be forgiven of all your sin.

You can know for sure what your eternal destiny will be—not a plunge into judgment, but rest and joy in heaven! Which will you choose?