“It’s a good thing there are lots of kind and courteous people in this airport, or we’d have been lost long ago,” I said to the attendant at the airport train station.
“Yes,” she laughed, “there’s lots of it to get lost in. The Dallas-Fort Worth airport covers 29 acres. It’s bigger than Staten Island!”
It’s a good thing, too, that the baggage checker had directed us promptly and accurately to the ticket counter, or we’d have been late for our flight and missed it.
Some day very soon all of those who have come to the Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins are going on an instant flight to heaven. “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16,1716For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16‑17). We’d like to direct each one of you to the ticket counter for THAT flight. The ticket you will get there is to the best possible destination-heaven-yet you can get it without any money. God knew that none of us could ever afford to pay the price for this “ticket,” so He sent His own Son to buy it for us. Jesus paid for it with His blood. “In whom we have redemption [payment] 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).
We got to the ticket counter with just a few minutes to spare. But there we were told that our flight had been canceled due to mechanical difficulties. We are happy to tell you that this flight to heaven can never be canceled, but YOU must be ready on time. “Now is the accepted time . . . 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).
We were kindly directed to another airline for a substitute flight. That meant we must take a ride on the airport train to another gate far away. Again the directions which we were given were clear and plain. We were quite impressed with how pleasant and efficient all the workers at the airport were. The Lord wants us to “be courteous” (1 Peter 3:88Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: (1 Peter 3:8)) and kind (1 Corinthians 13:44Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (1 Corinthians 13:4)), and to “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear [reverence].” 1 Peter 3:1515But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1 Peter 3:15).
Do you have the necessary ticket to heaven, the forgiveness of your sins? It has already been paid for. Why not be sure and get it right away so you are ready.
ML-03/07/1993