It wasn’t the kind of offer that comes every day. Dr. Staby, the college professor, said he would pay all the expenses for three of his students, Barry, John and Bill, to visit greenhouses in Cali, Colombia. Dr. Staby had made frequent trips to visit the greenhouses of Colombia, and he decided the three stents would benefit from seeing the acres of flowers grown there.
Barry, John and Bill had about two months to prepare for the trip. Bill, who had known Dr. Staby for only about six months, obtained a passport and made other necessary preparations for the trip. John seemed to be planning the same way as Bill. Barry did nothing. He had worked for Dr. Staby for nearly five years, but he did not believe the offer.
God, also, is offering you a free gift. The price has already been paid by the Lord Jesus Christ when He died for you on Calvary’s cross. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23). The gift of eternal life that God is offering you must be accepted now, for “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Less than two weeks before the planned trip, Dr. Staby passed out the tickets. Barry was shocked. He still had done nothing to get ready. He quickly tried to get a passport, but it was too late.
Many men, women, boys and girls have heard the gospel many times, but they have never accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. They are like the foolish virgins who didn’t get oil for their lamps. Midnight came and “the door was shut.” They cried “Lord, Lord, open to us,” but He answered, “I know you not.” Matthew 25:10-1210And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. (Matthew 25:10‑12). Don’t put it off until tomorrow for the Lord Jesus may have already come, or you may have died and it will be too late.
Everyone thought John was ready; he seemed prepared. He flew from Ohio to Miami with Bill and Dr. Staby. At the airline counter in Miami the agent asked John for his passport before he could get on the plane for Colombia. He reached into his back pocket where he had placed it. It was gone! Lost, stolen or forgotten, it didn’t make any difference—it wasn’t there, and he could not go to Colombia without a passport.
Those of us who are Christians delight in knowing that once we are saved we can never be lost. It is not enough, though, to act like you are saved. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7). If your sins are not washed away when the Lord Jesus comes back, you will spend eternity in the lake of fire.
John said that night was the saddest he ever spent as he prepared to return on the next flight to Ohio.
Bill believed Dr. Staby’s offer. He applied for his passport right away, and then he kept it in a safe place. When the time came he was ready to go, and he enjoyed the trip to Colombia with Dr. Staby.
The time for you to accept God’s offer and be saved is while you are still young. “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:1515Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15).
ML-11/09/1980