For two weeks the three young men had taken advantage of basketball season. They broke into houses and stole while people were away at the basketball games. As they prowled around the house they had chosen that night, looking for money and jewelry and silver, they didn’t realize that a frightened person upstairs was calling the police. Suddenly headlights were coming down the lane, and one of them shouted hoarsely, “Somebody’s coming!” The men, ages 19, 20 and 22, raced for their van and took off.
They got around one patrol car, then drove into a ditch to get past another one. They were going to try to outsmart the police -their future was at stake. As they came to an intersection, they found another patrol car waiting for them, but they managed to avoid it and head north.
Driving up to 80 mph, the three burglars were desperate to get away. When a patrol car tried to pass them to get in front of them, it was sideswiped by their van. With five patrol cars after them, in a panic they jammed the accelerator to the floor. But the patrol cars were closing in and they knew it was over. Finally they pulled over and gave themselves up. They were caught; they were finished. The three couldn’t say a word; the evidence was there in the van—numerous stolen items, including jewelry and silver. The three men were arrested for burglary and theft and taken to jail.
What an ugly picture of sin and crime. These young men chose a wrong path and were caught and punished. They could not succeed; they could not outsmart the law. They were speechless and guilty. And though you may never have committed a crime, you HAVE sinned and you WILL answer for your life of sin. “For we must ALL appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his [life], according to [what] he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:1010For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)).
God will have the evidence before Him; you will have nothing to say. “ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)). The important question will be, Are your sins washed away by the blood of Christ? Anyone who has received the Lord Jesus as Saviour has had his sins washed away. “The blood of Jesus Christ [shed when He died on the cross] 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)).
God is gracious and God will forgive! “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)). God will forgive your sins because of the work that the Lord Jesus did on the cross. Will you come to Him now as a sinner and let Him forgive you?
ML-08/06/1995