Four years ago I wrote a song called “Too Little Too Late” that is shown below. I can
think of no sadder words to be spoken, when considering the eternal destination of a person’s soul and the opportunity missed.
All the family and friends stood around to bid adieu
To the corpse in the coffin lying out for all to view
They wept and hugged each other to soothe their broken hearts
In the background was the choir singing all their parts
They read the obituary and told of all he'd done
But now that doesn't matter he missed out on the Son
All the kind words and the accolades are empty and vain
The most important thing in life he failed to attain
The preacher gave the sermon and it was hard for him
For he knew too well the outcome and it was oh so grim
At the church and the graveyard all said their last goodbye
All they could do was stand around and hang their head and cry
CHORUS:
Too little too late he knew not the Son of God
Too little too late he'll soon be covered with the sod
They all prayed for his soul but none showed him the way
No one told him of the Lord and it's too late to pray
Jesus said in Luke 17:26-29, referring to the Tribulation that people would be as those in the days of Noah and the days of Lot. He basically said that they would be going about their lives as usual, as if nothing were about to happen. Many are living just like that today.
I have noticed in just the last week so many people dying unexpectedly. I assume they thought they would live many years to come, but none of us have any guarantee of our next breath. How horrifying it must be to not know that when we left our house that morning, we would never be returning, but facing judgment from the God we ignored.
We Christians need so desperately to be a witness in word and deed to this lost world we live in. I understand that so many times it is hard to find an opening to introduce the Savior to someone. However, I have found by experience that God honor’s his Word; i.e. “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)
My point is if we ask Him to send us opportunities to witness, He will do so. I have often missed those opportunities, because I wasn’t spiritually alert. So we need to be alert and ready to see the “opening” that God provides to introduce Jesus to those who are lost. My Mother was the best I have ever seen at witnessing. You could be talking about cornbread, and she would somehow turn it into a conversation about Jesus.
We who already know Jesus as our Savior and Lord are very aware of the urgency to not put off that most important decision in our lives. Those who are in the world cannot see this however, and sadly many head off, quite unexpectedly, into eternity without Him.
Once our body dies, and our soul departs into eternity, there are no second chances. Just read the account of Lazarus and the beggar beginning at Luke 16:20. The most difficult sermon to preach is at the graveside of one who is lost. All you can do is provide God’s plan of salvation to those who are left behind.
If you are reading this and do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord do not be casual about the most important decision in your life. The Scripture says,
“For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV)
Do not put this off until tomorrow. You may not have a tomorrow. Jesus told us about a fool and his possessions, “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20)
Is there something in your life that has made you its slave? You can only have freedom in Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can forgive sin, and He will. Only Jesus can provide real freedom in your life and peace in your heart. “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36 NKJV) “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27 NKJV) "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 NKJV) “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV)
Don’t let it be said of you, too little too late.
Grant Phillips
grantphillips@windstream.net
