By Shane Kastler
Are you relying on a “death bed conversion” to get you to Heaven? While there is no doubt that such events do occur, it would be unwise of you to bank on that. Everyone thinks they’re going to Heaven, but according to the Bible “few” actually make it (see Matthew 7:13-14).
The thief on the cross is one Biblical example of a man who had a genuine death bed conversion. Moments before death he cried out to Jesus and Jesus said to Him, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) But this thief is the only example in the Bible of such a conversion. The fact is, that salvation is an act of God, not an act of man. You are saved when God changes your heart, not when you “decide to follow Jesus.” Truthfully, since man has a nature enslaved to sin, he never would decide to follow Jesus unless God opened his heart, by way of a new spiritual birth (John 3:3). If you are banking on having a death bed conversion you are likely running a fool’s errand.
The late preacher, Charles Spurgeon didn’t put much hope in death bed conversions. He wrote, “Undoubtedly, there are death-bed conversions; but it is to be feared that, in the great majority of cases, people who wake up so late to a true conviction of their condition will find that, while they seek grace, “Jesus the bridegroom” will have already come. The poor head may be so distracted with pain that the mind may not be able to catch the idea of what faith in Christ really is; mental capacity may wholly fail in that dreaded hour. The risk is so great that none but the fatally foolish will postpone till then the preparation for the King’s coming.”
Spurgeon warned of being “fatally foolish” and he exhorted his hearer’s not to take that risk. Are you counting on something that may never come? Are you content to live in sin today, while thinking you’ll still make it to Heaven tomorrow? Don’t count a death bed conversion that is unlikely to come. Don’t play with fire. Don’t mess around with God. Today is the day of salvation. Today if you hear his voice, “do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:7) Flee from sin and run to Christ today. Your death may come suddenly before you even know what hits you. Don’t be fatally foolish, be prudently prepared to meet your Maker.
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