Everything in the universe is changing. The seasons are changing. The ocean tides are changing. The earth’s climate is changing. Even the stars in the night sky which seem so changeless are changing.
People, too, are changing. They are born, pass from childhood to adulthood, from middle age to old age, from old age to death, from this life to eternity.
It is almost certain that all the tens of millions of people who were very much alive in the 19th century — all who had dreams, hopes, and aspirations every bit as real as people living today — by this year of 2022 have died and passed away. In a hundred and twenty years from now the future generation may say the same of the billions of people living today.
None of us can avoid such changes. We might like to think we will live forever, but from the moment we are born, we are changing, growing older, and nearing the time when we will exit this life.
A Needed Change
Because we are sinners, we need to undergo an important change in our lives. This change is called “justification.” It takes place when a sinner repents and believes in Christ. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hear[s] My word, and believe[s] on Him that sent Me, [has] everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)).
People are “justified” and have their sins forgiven when they turn by faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by Him all that believe are justified from all things” (Acts 13:38-3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39)).
After this life is over, it will be too late to be justified by faith. People will remain confirmed forever in the state they die in. The unrepentant will remain that way for all eternity in hell, while those who repent and are reconciled to God through the death of His Son will endlessly enjoy the glories of heaven. God, in His grace, wants all men to come to Christ and be justified.
Change is everywhere. In truth the only One who never changes is God. You can’t avoid the great change from this life to an eteral death. What you can change now is where you spend eternity by repenting of your sins and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son.
Do you think somehow you will stay the same, that somehow as you are today you will remain for an endless series of tomorrows? Every second that is passing is drawing you closer to the time when you must stand before God and give an account of your life. What you do with Christ will determine where you spend eternity.
Be wise therefore and come to the Savior who gave His life on Calvary that all might live through Him.