The Baptist Beacon

By Elder Jerry Miller

Washington, IL

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement." (Heb. 9:27)

As a young boy growing up among our Missionary Baptist Churches, one of the phrases I heard preachers commonly use in their sermons was, "this world is just a preparing place." What they were saying is that while we are living, we need to prepare for death.

We spend our lives here preparing for many things. People are preparing for retirement, laying in store as they go so that they will be prepared for the latter years of their lives. Parents, in many cases, are trying to prepare as they go, to send their children to college when they grow up. We all know the importance of being prepared for things.

How many people have auto insurance? How many people have health insurance? How many people have a life insurance policy? Why do people find it necessary to be insured in these various ways? Is it not because they want to be prepared should tragedy come? Of course it is.

Now, a person may be preparing well for retirement, and never reach retirement age. It happens in many cases. A person may be well insured on their automobile and never be involved in an accident. But it is certain that everyone will face death, and we know this is true. (Ecclesiastes 9:5 The living know that they shall die.) Therefore, everyone needs to be prepared.

Are people preparing for death? Sure they

are. How many times have you heard someone say that they have made out their will? Some have already purchased their cemetery plots. Some have already made it known who they would like to have preach at their funeral service, or perhaps have chosen a special hymn to be sung when that time comes.

The problem that I see, is that with all these preparations that the human family is making, many are leaving out the most important one of all, that is, they have not made spiritual preparation for the eternal well being of their immortal soul.

God told the nation of Israel, "Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. (Amos 4:12) My plea to you, lost friend, is that you will prepare to meet God. Prepare your soul for eternity through humble repentance toward God, and faith in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus told Nicodemus, "Ye must be born again." (John 3:7)

"What is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14) If you are confused about what you need to do to be saved, contact the Editor at the above address.