Graduation ceremonies are in the planning stages, and finals are approaching. Many students may be wondering, “Will I make the grade?” Am I prepared for the next season of my life?
These are good and important questions. We should all ask ourselves the same question: Death is coming. Will you make the grade? Will you graduate to heaven, or will you spend your eternity in Hell?
Any student in school must study to pass the test. The ability to graduate is on them. The bad news for anyone mulling over their eternal future is they have no merit to offer God. There is none good at all. Hell is the default. You cannot earn any favor or recognition to advance your dilemma with the King of the Universe. Yet, the same King that demands perfection became perfection on our behalf when He chose to put on flesh and dwell among us. Why? To redeem us from this world of sin and darkness. He is the only one who made the GRADE. He kept His own rules, “THE Law” perfectly. He obeyed all the requirements that He put in place.
What does that mean for the fallen, sin-soaked world of people? Salvation, rescue, graduation.
In Mark 1:15, Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
The gospel is the good news that while I loved living for myself. I loved my rebellious life. I loved walking in the darkness so I could hide my true nature. I was vile in every way, and I deserve hell. Christ died for me according to the Scriptures. He was buried, and on the third day, He rose again, according to the Scriptures. He laid his life down, and the full wrath of God the Father destroyed Him so that He could save me. I deserved that wrath, but He took all the guilt of my sin upon Himself so that His righteousness could be given to me. That is Love! If He can forgive my sin, then dear soul, he can also forgive yours. I will graduate to heaven one day. Because He made the GRADE.
Repent, turn from your selfish, self-centered living, and trust in Jesus. Although it may take some time, the fruit of obedience will grow in your life. That is the evidence of the new birth.
For those who for years have proclaimed that they are Christians but live like the devil, then today I pray that you will examine your heart to see if you are truly in the faith. I don’t want you to miss your Graduation.