When Is the Best Time To Be Saved?

When is it the right time to get saved? Today? Tomorrow? Next week? How about after you’ve lived it up and had a taste of all that life has to offer? After all, there’s no time limit on salvation, or is there? I observed the following scene on a television program, and it made me realize that too many people are confused about the life hereafter.

A pilot is talking with a priest and says something to the effect of “Let me see if I’ve got this right. It doesn’t matter what I do or how bad I’ve been, as long as I repent at the last minute, I’m guaranteed passage through those pearly gates.” To which the priest replies, “Well, yes, pretty much.”

How sad! At the bare minimum, I see two problems with this scenario. First off, a meager “I’m sorry” is not enough to gain entrance to Heaven. You must be washed in the blood of the Lamb, and that only takes place when you’ve accepted His gift of salvation. Salvation is through faith, not through guilt or remorse. (See Ephesians 2:8-9)

Second, by the time that pilot realizes it’s the “last minute,” it will be too late. We don’t know when Jesus will return to take His children home to be with Him. It could be today. But despite many theories to the contrary, He isn’t planning to make a big announcement for everyone to get ready for His appearing. The announcement is in the Bible when it declares, Behold, now is the day of salvation. (II Corinthians 6:2) In other words, don’t put it off. Don’t wait until the last minute. Don’t let anything else distract you from believing in Jesus right now.

I was reminded of the importance of this on Sunday morning. In the rush to pack up the car and make it to church on time, my husband and I accidentally locked our keys in the car. When we bought the car nearly two years ago, it only came with one key. We had every intention of having extra keys made, but it never seemed to be the right time. For two years now, we had put off the important task of having spare keys made, knowing that one day our negligence was going to cost us. It did! While we were able to break into our own car, it cost us thirty minutes and a lot of frustration. All of which could have been avoided if we had acted immediately and done what we knew to do.

Locking the keys in the car is frustrating and time-consuming, but putting off salvation is downright dangerous. The Bible makes it clear that those who are unsaved will spend eternity in the lake of fire, where there is eternal torment. There are no second chances to make it in. Either you’re ready when Jesus returns, or you will be left behind. Don’t wait another moment! What is keeping you from accepting Jesus as your Savior today?