I got to Bible camp last week only to realize that I was unprepared. In all of my preparations for camp, I always put my packing of personal necessities off until the last minute and then scramble to throw what I remember into my duffle bag. Last week I repeated the process and realized at camp that I forgot a towel, pillow, and bedding. It would have been a long week had not somebody else – Becky – packed these for me! Where would I be if somebody else wasn’t loving me and looking out for me?
Now most of you who read this are not going to Bible camp this week, so there is no need for you to double check your luggage for the usual necessities. But I am 100% sure that we all are going to go before God eventually and face eternity. What will we need for eternity? We won’t need a toothbrush, towel, or extra change of undergarments, will we? Absolutely not. We won’t even need our home, automobile, any clothes, or our bank accounts. All of these things are only for this world and have no place or value in Jesus’ celestial city. There is only one item that we absolutely need for eternity and that is our faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, without our faith in Jesus, we will never even be allowed admittance through those pearly gates. Without Jesus, we will be banished to eternity in Hell, which would be infinitely worse than sleeping on a bunk without a pillow or bedding. Do not forget Jesus! Make sure today that you are packed and ready to go to meet our Maker.
But, of course, we are not alone on this journey to eternity. Every man, woman, and child on earth is on their way as I write and as you read. Unfortunately, there are millions and billions of souls on this earth who prepare for eternity much like I prepare for camp. They know they are going. They even work hard with a lot of details that might seem important. But tragically, they forget the one and only necessity until it is too late. Who will look out for them and prepare them and remind them to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ before they die? They need someone who loves them enough to bring them their one and only necessity. Will you be that one who brings Jesus to the unprepared?
“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” Romans 10:14-15