A little over a hundred years ago, on her maiden voyage, the engineering marvel called the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank with a horrible loss of life in the North Atlantic. If the cruise ship line had made a few common sense safety precautions, the loss of life might have been prevented or at least greatly reduced. The following is a list of simple precautions that might have saved many:
1. The ship might have carried enough lifeboats for the number of people on board.
2. When notified there were icebergs in the area, the ship might have slowed down.
3. Lookouts on the bridge should have been equipped with binoculars.
4. The Titanic might have rammed the iceberg head-on instead of attempting to turn away from it at the last second.
5. A cargo ship called the Californian might have come to the assistance of the Titanic when it heard the SOS call.
Do you know that each one of us is making a great and grand journey? This journey is not only our maiden voyage, but also the last one we will ever make. This journey can end in great happiness and bliss, or tragic sorrow like the Titanic. You don’t have to buy a ticket to start this journey. You started it the moment you were conceived in the womb. And the journey will not be over until the moment you die. This is because each person alive is on a journey to eternity. On this journey it is possible to make some of the same types of mistakes made on the Titanic. These mistakes will end in tragedy if we are not careful to avoid them.
1. The Titanic carried only enough lifeboats to accommodate approximately half of the number of people on board. What was the other half supposed to do if they had to abandon ship? How unlike God our Savior this is! He knew all mankind would fall into sin. To make the way possible for each member of the human race to be saved, He sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. “The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:1414And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. (1 John 4:14)). His death on the cross means so much to God that every living soul who places their trust in Him will be saved. “Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:1515That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:15)). The suffering and death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross can bring salvation not to half of mankind but to everyone. Because of the cross, all mankind can be saved if they will only believe. There is a seat in “God’s lifeboat” waiting for every member of the human race, if they would only take it.
2. The Titanic was notified by radio that icebergs were in the area. They should have slowed down, but instead they continued at full speed ahead. How many people are living like they have nothing to worry about when it comes to judgment to come? When we hear that God is going to bring each person into judgment for what they have done in this life, it should cause us to slow down too and ask God, “What would You have me do?” Instead, we like to cruise full speed ahead as if there is no danger ahead. Don’t make the same mistake as the Titanic. Slow down. Reduce your speed. Give yourself time to think about eternal things. The consequence of unforgiven sin is eternal death. Trust Christ now to avoid that horrible consequence.
3. Lookouts on the bridge of the Titanic were not equipped with binoculars. Binoculars would have extended their range of vision. Perhaps they might have had enough time to change course if they had spotted the iceberg sooner. We need to have long-range vision when it comes to God’s truth. That is, we need to be able to look far ahead to see beyond this life. Sinners need to look far enough into the future to see that if they don’t repent, they will end up in hell. This life is not all there is. It is only a small part of the big picture. There is life after death: a hell for those who remain in their sins, and a heaven for those who repent and believe in Christ. How many people go through life never considering that there is anything more to life than trying to make themselves as happy as possible on earth. Don’t make this tragic mistake. Open your eyes. Ask yourself, “Where will I spend eternity?”
4. The Titanic might have stayed afloat if it had rammed the iceberg head-on. Instead, when it turned, a giant gash was torn in its side and the ship was doomed. In a head-on collision the ship would have been damaged, but it in all likelihood would have stayed afloat. You are on a collision course with God. You can meet Him head-on by repenting of your sins. Repentance means renouncing your sins and turning to God. Repentance often has an element of pain with it because we realize how wrong we have been. Only repentance and faith in Christ will bring salvation to our souls. However, if we turn away from God in this life and try to avoid Him, He will have no choice but to bring us into judgment for our sins. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)). So much damage takes place when people think they can live apart from God. The damage they do themselves will eventually sink them into the depths of hell. Don’t try to run away from the God who made you. Instead, run to Him. Come directly to Him and tell Him you are a sinner for whom Christ died, and ask Him to receive you and give you eternal life.
5. The cargo ship, the Californian, ignored the radio call for help sent out by the Titanic. If they had immediately gone to the site of the disaster, they might have saved many from death. Unfortunately, people can fail each other in abysmal ways. People can let other people down. It is only God who never fails. For this reason, each one of us has to put our trust and faith in the living God who alone can save. You have it in your power to call out to Him today and He will answer you. Romans 10:1313For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13) reads, “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Will you continue to make some of the same sorts of mistakes which were made on the Titanic as you journey on to eternity? Or will you be wise, repent, and call out to the living God who by His grace and mercy has made a way for every person to be saved?