Death Bed Confessions
Is a Death Bed Confession a matter of a jailbird admitting to crimes just before he dies? No – generally it’s a matter of hiding behind an excuse system for decades, but planning to commit to God’s salvation at the end of life’s journey. I believe a host of folks think this way. And Human nature has a problem with death in general – Sigmund Freud said, “No one believes in his own death, or, to put the same thing in another way, that in the unconscious every man of us is convinced of his own immortality.” So, we put it off. “Manyana is good enough for me.” But eventually the serious “date” arrives. Is putting off Christ’s salvation to the end a good idea?
I remember an individual who was old and classically in the “delay mode.” He was my mother’s father – 71 years older than myself. When I was about 12 or so I recall asking him why he didn’t seem to have any religion being so close to the pearly gates? His excuse was “Cain killed Able, then went to the land of Nod & took a wife, the Bible is just myths.” (Genesis 4, but easy to answer – they were kissing cousins.) Gramps just got older & even though he was a decent man & worked for a living, he might not have known the error of the Death Bed Confession. God is looking for a decision without DELAY or filibuster.
-- John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, . . ." Jesus C.
-- 2 Corinthians 6:2 “Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
-- Hebrews 2:3 “how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? . . .”
-- Hebrews 3:15 ". . . Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation."
Daniel Webster said this “The bed of death brings every human being to his pure individuality, to the intense contemplation of that deepest and most solemn of all relations - the relation between the creature and his Creator.” Well, my friend & grandfather kept putting it off. He got older & dementia set in. Some of it was really sad . . . Some preachers believe that putting off God to the end is a foolish plan & indeed scripture says this clearly. (Take a look at Proverbs 1:24-32) But on the other hand, the blood & grace of Jesus has infinite power to save – even the senile. I wasn’t able to see my grandfather his last few days on this planet, but my missionary friend Dick Lytle went for me & Gramps was open to Christ’s salvation – he prayed the sinner’s prayer. One of my favorite memories is a Spiritual dream (Joel 2:28) that came several years after he died – maybe 20. I saw my deceased mother in heaven playing an organ when from behind a corner my grandfather showed his (younger) face & smiled at me. God is good . . .
Now on the subject of Death Bed Confessions I would say to anyone who is planning one – BE CAREFUL, the risk is great. I am positive there are millions now in hell who danced around the question of eternal salvation till it was too late. And even if they just squeeze in, they miss becoming acquainted with an awesome God in this life, and His Blessing. The better plan is to accept Christ’s salvation “today” without playing games with God. Choose Jesus, He is alive. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20. See also link #17 “Concerning Quicksand.”
Many other Titles: www.gospelnotes.org * * Fred J. Stone * *
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