My wife’s cousin’s husband shared his transformation story with me during a recent visit. He was on his death bed, according to the doctors, and his family had been called in to say their goodbyes. However, God was not through with him yet.
He shared his life story with me and, according to him, lived a very sinned filled life. In his younger days and during his time in the army, he had developed bad habits such as drinking, smoking, dipping snuff, chasing the fun games of partying, etc. He continued this lifestyle until he met his future wife and fell madly in love with her.
He proposed marriage to her, and she refused to marry him until he changed his way of living. He did and they have now been married well over 50 years. According to him she changed his outlook on life, and he tried to be a good Christian husband and father and had accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. However, just as many Christians today, he was uneasy about going to his eternal home.
Just as many Christians today there is some confusion about entering heaven and living with Jesus. John 7:13-14 tells us in His closing of the Sermon on the Mount, about the two gates people will choose for their destination. Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
There are may people that believe you can enter either gate to gain your way into heaven. Jesus made it abundantly clear in His Word the only entrance is through the narrow gate. We are told in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing: it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that one may boast.”
Many Christians today say they are saved because they go and work hard for the church, live a good life, and have good morals. This is all well and good and everyone should do this, however you must ask Christ into your heart and live for Him.
The cousin that was on his deathbed told me he was a Christian, but he was afraid to die. There are many people that will tell you the same thing.
During the night he was supposed to die he said he had a visitor come see him. He said he was alone in the ICU room and around 2 a.m. the door opened, and the light came on. He looked to see if someone had entered the room but saw no one. He felt that someone was looking over him and he could feel them breathing. Still, he saw no one. He felt a warm sensation come over his body from the top of his head to his toes and truly believed the Holy Spirit let him know he would get well. In a few minutes the breathing stopped, the light went off, and the door closed.
His daughter came in the next morning expecting the worse but, her daddy was doing much better. He eventually was weaned off his meds and went home. He told me that it was a transformation in his life, and he feels God is not through with him yet. He also stated that he no longer is afraid to die and looks forward to the day he can enter the narrow gate. Can you say that you are ready to meet Jesus?
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the life you give us on earth. Thank you for the testimony of our cousin and brother in Christ. I pray that everyone will get to know you personally and enter the narrow gate into your heavenly home. Amen.
