In the 1980s, the most popular scientist of the era was Carl Sagan. He had an incredibly popular television show on a public service channel. Mr. Sagan was a Scientist and Astronomer. He was a celebrity and writer. And he was an agnostic (a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God). After his death, there were rumors of a deathbed conversion (when someone comes to know Jesus as Savior, just before dying). There were similar rumors regarding Steven Hawking, a professed atheist. No one knows for sure, but fortunately, God desires that none would perish without knowing Him and He still accepts deathbed conversions. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:44.
When rumors began to circulate about Mr. Sagan and Mr. Hawking coming to know the Lord on their deathbeds (deathbed conversions), radical atheists were furious. They were adamant, that there were NO deathbed conversions. Even Mr. Sagan’s wife, when asked as to whether he may have had a deathbed conversion stated, “Contrary to the fantasies of the fundamentalists, there was no deathbed conversion, no last-minute refuge taken in a comforting vision of a heaven or an afterlife.” She then continued, “As we looked deeply into each other’s eyes, it was with a shared conviction that our wondrous life together was ending forever.” How sad is that?!?!
How incredibly sad and hopeless?!
The reality is, all conversions are deathbed conversions. We are all on our deathbeds prior to coming to the Lord. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.
Because we all sin, and the penalty for sin is death, we will be separated from God for eternity. We are destined for eternal death if we do not know Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior.
If we are not followers of Jesus Christ, the stark reality is that we are one sudden tragic accident away from eternal damnation. We are on a proverbial deathbed. How frightening?
The beautiful thing about our Heavenly Father is that He loves and desires a relationship with each and every one of us. Even those who have rebelled against Him their whole lives are one repentant prayer away from a relationship with Him. The bible says that He is patient and waiting for us to come to Him. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.
No one is born knowing Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. We must all choose. Some of us choose as a child, living impactful lives for the Kingdom of God our whole lives. Some of us are a little older when we choose but live out the remainder of our lives for God’s glory, trying to help others come to a relationship with Him. Then there are people who have chosen to reject God, living their lives for themselves and, in the end, make a deathbed prayer of repentance and conversion.
Sadly, there are those who will reject every opportunity offered by God and never accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.
But the bottom line is that all of mankind is born on their deathbed. And, it isn’t until we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, that we begin to truly live! And that life, through the blood of Christ, is ETERNAL!
I don’t know whether Mr. Sagan or Mr. Hawkings came to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior on their deathbeds. No one knows that for certain except God and the individual. I pray that both Mr. Sagan and Mr. Hawkings accepted God’s gift of salvation and will be in Heaven when we get there. I pray that someone shared our Savior with their wives as well.
But how sad for those whom they left behind; those who think that they are following their example and refuse to accept a relationship with Christ. These people might suffer the consequences of their sin for eternity.
The magnitude of hopelessness, sadness, and suffering of those who are destined for separation from God (and us) for all eternity should motivate those of us who know Christ to share Him. We should feel especially moved to share Him with our loved ones and friends. But those we meet in passing — the homeless, the cashier at the grocery store, the UPS man — need to hear about Him, too.
Father God, we praise You for the magnitude of Your love for us. We praise You that You desired that relationship with us so much that You were willing to sacrifice Your own precious Son. Father, forgive us for our rebellion. Forgive us for our rejection of Your precious Son. Lord, forgive us for our lack of sharing You with others. Holy Spirit, give us an insatiable urging to share our Savior with the world!
If you know Jesus, share Him. If you don’t, repent and accept Him. You are on your deathbed!
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, please go to our Life preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer outlined there. Our Heavenly Father truly wants a relationship with you. He wants to adopt you as His very own son or daughter. 2 Corinthians 6:18 says, “and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” Once you pray that prayer, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know. I’d love to be in prayer for you and help you grow in your relationship with the Lord.
Luv Ya!
