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Come As You Are!
Early one morning fire broke out in a
house on a dark street. A policeman on duty sounded the alarm. Before the
fire engines could get to the scene, however, flames were leaping high
into the air. Suddenly a young man appeared at an upper window
in his pajamas. Firemen quickly placed a ladder against the burning
building. But to the consternation of all, the man refused to come down,
shouting back that he had to get dressed first. The firemen pleaded,
"Come
as you are!" but to no avail. From below they tried to
ascend the stairs, but were turned back as the wind fanned the flames into
fury. When a rescuer tried to enter through a window, the heat and smoke
forced him away. Suddenly the stairs gave way and the roof fell in. The
man had waited too long and was buried beneath the ruins. *
How much GREATER
tragedy awaits ALL who refuse to "flee from the wrath
to come." Our sins have placed US in a far more perilous situation -
with JESUS as our ONLY " fire escape."
But many reject God's provision of
salvation and safety in Christ because they want
to get "dressed up" in the clothes of self-righteousness
or religion (Matthew 7:21).
Others procrastinate thinking, "I have plenty of time to decide"
(Acts 24:25). Some delay their response because of concern about what
others might think (cp. John 12:42).
Many simply do not understand the reality and danger of their
predicament
(2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Others reject rescue attempts because they are
clinging
to material things which will soon be consumed (Matthew 6:19-21).
Still others refuse
to listen and trust the very ones who are warning them of DANGER (Matthew
23:37). Their delay could cost
them their SOULS!
God
will not allow the world to continue along on its present course indefinitely!
"He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in
righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. And He has given assurance
of this to ALL by raising Him from
the dead" (Acts 17:31).
The
alarm has sounded:
"The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in
which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will
melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will
be burned up (2 Peter 3:10).
But, Christ has come to the rescue!
Delaying your response could have tragic consequences!
Don’t delay! Come as you are! Come as you are,
placing your trust
in God (Hebrews 11:6), repenting
of your sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confessing
Jesus (Romans 10:9-10), being baptized
(immersed) for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38), AND committing
the rest of your life to following Him (Colossians 2:6).
Please, just come as you are!
God bless you!
-- David
A. Sargent / Michael
Eddlemon
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
* Lomes Pierce (adapted)
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