Ignition 7 Video Spark DevosSample

What About Sinning or Repenting On Your Deathbed? (part 1)

All of us face questions surrounding death. What happens when we die? Where does our faith fit into things? As Christians, death no longer threatens us. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:55 (NLT): “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” Jesus’ sacrifice secures us tightly to God and his plan for us beyond the grave. Death no longer kills us… it only ends our life on this earth. Even so, sometimes there are still tough questions when it comes to death and dying.

One big question surrounding our concepts of salvation and death is whether or not a person living a sinful life will be accepted by God if he repents and accepts Jesus on his deathbed. How do we deal with this seemingly tricky mystery?

Most questions about God begin with grace. God’s grace is given freely to those of us who accept it. We can’t complain when God gives the same grace to others, even if the gift is received at the end of life.

Perhaps the best example of the deathbed salvation experience can be found in Luke 23:40-43, when Jesus extended salvation to a thief nailed next to him on a cross. The thief, staring his own death in the face, asked Jesus for help. Jesus gave him mercy right there. The thief died that day with Jesus’ words “today you’ll be with me in paradise” imprinted upon his heart.

No matter when the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice is received, it is incredibly powerful. That’s God’s mercy, which is far beyond our mercy.

That being said, we shouldn’t plan on continuing a life of sin only to jump into God’s arms at the last moment, so to speak. That’s not Biblical and treats Jesus’ death as something cheap. We are fortunate to receive God’s forgiveness now. So even though salvation is extended to all and can be asked for up to the final moments of life, we should remember it is a gift best opened now. Now is the time to be really alive in our relationship with Jesus.