| UPDATE [4/18/08] |
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Update [4/18/08]:
I talked to Jon again today.
"Hi" He said as he went to open his locker.
"Hi...Jon? I have a question."
"Yeah."
I looked him straight in the eyes. A few teachers walking by stopped thinking that we were some oogly-googly teenage couple getting ready for a smooch. We assured them that we were just friends and had other dates. I dont think they believed it too much, but they were satisfied enough to continue on to their destination.
"If you died today, do you know you would spend eternity in Heaven?"
He puased. "Yeah, I think so>"
"Why?"
"Well, I'm a pretty good guy. Im alright. Yeah, I think I would go to Heaven." Obviously attempting to assure himself in which I could see the uncertainty.
"You beleive in the Bible, right?"
"Yeah." Just the answer I was looking for.
"Well the Bible says in Isaiah that our works are as filthy rags. Abnd then Jesus spoke in John that 'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, No man cometh unto the Father but by me'. No man."
Everytime I talk about salvation, it seems to unease him.
The cool thing about Jon is that he knows about Christ.
I asked "Do you believe that Christ died for us, for our sins, and that he rose again?"
"Yeah."
YES! ... But he still wasnt saved. He hasn't confessed with his mouth the Lord Jesus Christ. He's done the believing in his heart, but the confession is essential too!
Then I talked his ear off about the sinner's prayer, and then asked him if he still had the tract "God Has a Gift For You!" that I gave him. He answered yes.
"Well, that has a prayer on the back that will lead you through what you need to know. You don't have to pray right here right now with me." Even though I was pleading for him to. "You can do it in your room, or in the car. Where ever."
I turned to him again with complete solitude and said, "Jon. I don't want you to go to Hell. People act like Hell is this fun place where your gonna have a good time and party and that is a lie. Hell is a place of eternal torment.
Jon, I care about you. Your like a brother to me, and I wouldnt want this to happen to you. ... Its like this. If I knew that you were gonna leave and get in a car accident, I would do all I could to try and stop you from getting hurt. That is what I'm doing now. Your on your way to Hell, and I want to do all I can to stop that from happening." Im all to murderously blunt. But, hey, my best friend is on his way to eternal damnation, and Im not about to stand by and watch. It's time to stop being the lukewarm Christian 'Oh! Bye! Have fun!... Oh! Wait! Your on your way to Hell! Oph, oh well, I'll just catch you next time, maybe...'
WAY Too many Christians are all to casual about Hell nowadays and I think it's about time to read them a few sermons on the Rich Man and ask them who they know who are on their way to Hell.
Well, Jon looked at me and saw that I wasn't playing games. I really believed what I was telling him.
"You really need to pray a prayer, like the one on the back of that tract, and confess it, Jon."
He looked at me and solemnly said, "I will. Yeah, I will."
"I hope so. I love ya, Jon. And I want the best for you."
"Well I gotta catch a ride."
"Alright." Another pit of my stomach feeling, wanting to beat myself up.
Jon may not have prayed that prayer before he left. He may not have done it right there with me, but I pray that he will. He said he would. All I can do now is pray. Pray fervently. And I ask you once more to pray along with me for the soul of my friend who doesnt know what he is doing, no thanks to God, and all thanks to the devil.
5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 5:16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
-Alina Marie |
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