My South African correspondent Terrance Hanafey recently sent me a piece what amounted to reviewing our 'destiny'.
"It is appointed unto man once to die but after this the judgment.... Hebrews chapter 9 verse 27 – whereas another translation (NIV Scofield): Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment ....
Terrance writes: Most of my life, in the fast and furious business world, on the road selling computers and in the later part of my career in the office dealing with customers, all the time we dealt with appointments and seem to all rely on dates in our diary or laptops to meet with folks.
These time and dates are very important as they could affect the outcome of big sales and relevant future events. It is imperative and polite to always be on time. I remember when studying for the ministry under Pastor Rowlands Snr of the Full Gospel Church on the Bluff in Durban.. Wednesday evening was very important, as this was the evening we studied for 3 years to receive our Theological Diploma to be qualified to go into the ministry.
However there were always late comers and Pastor Rowlands spared them no sympathy and spoke out loudly every time they were creeping in quietly at the back ,saying - "God is never late – He is always on time!" - it was rather embarrassing to say the least.
A friend Albert Crewe passed away recently. Albert said the sinner's prayer with his faithful kind and loving brother in law Keith Benson before he died and God called him for his appointment in heaven the following day. You see not one of us will be spared the date in God's dairy in heaven. It is a set appointment - which God knows the date and the time-we are at a major disadvantage as we don't know the day or the time.
Risk factor with destiny
This places a huge risk factor each one of us have to deal with. When should we commit our lives to God?When we are young many tend to say, religion, God and church that is for the women and old people - not for me I want to enjoy life.
As we get older we get set in our ways and live life to the full saying I want to get all I can out of life because soon I am going to be old. When we get older we are shocked and surprised to see our friends passing away before their time as the bible does say in
Psalm 90 verse 10 "The length of our days is seventy years-or eighty, if we have the strength; " Yet we see folks are living up till 90 and all over this have become quite a world wide normality. What will happen at the appointed time, what is God going to discuss with us and how will He decide who will live with Him forever?
This is what is the foremost question on most folks mind. Having spent time with many folks on their last moments, some are in sheer terror and and fear which I find hard to describe, in some folks last moments because they never made peace with God in time and are afraid of their eternal destiny.
There are however others who were looking so excited and anxious to leave this planet to meet their awesome and beautiful heavenly Father - because in their lives they made their peace with their God and knew their sins were forgiven and simply held fast onto His infallible Word.
This word told them in John chapter 14 verse 1. Do not let your hearts be troubled .Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you .And if I go and prepare a place for you. I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
Personal testimony
On the 8 April 1967, at the tender age of 16, I committed my life to Christ and have never regretted it on the contrary I celebrate it each year as the greatest decision and thank God for His amazing mercies on such a wretch like me.
However let me say without fear of contradiction I too am honestly afraid of the unknown, but I cling as millions of saints all around the earthly globe to His promises that never fail.
If you my dear and precious friend have never made your commitment as yet - do not think that the angel of death when he comes to take you to your appointment will spare you any time.
His function has one goal and that is to bring to your appointed date with God on time. Yes, friends the only time we really do have on our side in this time called "now" tomorrow is another story - and yesterday is gone.
Do yourself the biggest favour and find somewhere private and ask Jesus to come into your life.
Just say "Lord Jesus I am sorry for my sins wash me in Your blood and come into my life. Thank you for dying for me - I will serve the rest of my life in Jesus Name Amen!"
By inviting Jesus Christ into your life – you will stand before God and be welcomed into the presence of God because of what Jesus did for you.
Thank you for reading this – Terrance Hanafey.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html