The Situation: One dreary, rainy night, a genie named “Chance” appears to you right before you go to bed…and he wants to make a deal.

His Offer:  A one time gift of 20 million dollars.  Tax free.

The Catch:  Somehow Chance will supernaturally download one month’s worth of all your thoughts and then publish them in a book for anyone in the world to purchase. 

Please note—he gets to choose the month. 

Dilemma:  Will you do it?  Is 20 million enough?  Maybe more?  What’s your price?

Most of you probably believe that on that unfortunate day of your death you will stand before an almighty God.  But what many of you may not know is that not only will the Lord your God play an entire month’s worth of thoughts and actions—He’ll play a entire life’s worth!

Scary thought, huh? 

And He also won’t be there to hand you a check for 20 mil. 

See, many people have spent a good deal of time focusing on the aspects of God that they are comfortable with: the loving God who cares about them, who wants good things for them, who takes care of their problems. They’ve treated Him like He was some supernatural genie, much like the made up “Chance.” Most importantly, they want “their best life now,” and have done everything they could to “find their purpose.” But you know what?  This god doesn’t exist. 

Don’t be mistaken:  the God of the universe IS good and definitely loving—but He’s also just.  And as humans, we certainly want a God of justice!  We want a God who’s going to punish the wicked…the murderers…the corrupt…the evil ones…

But you know what?  This same God who will punish those listed above will also punish those who have ever broken any of God’s commandments.  Do you think you might fit into this category?  Well, let’s see:  have you ever lied?  Stolen?  Disobeyed your parents?  Looked at another person with lust?  Have you always put God first and foremost in your life, every day and every minute even? 

If you are truly honest with yourself, you’ll know you’ve failed…just like the rest of us.  And it doesn’t make you “flawed” or “human”…it makes you a sinner.

Look, please don’t misunderstand: no one is pointing the finger and judging anyone. No one is “holier” than anyone else, but the simple truth is that the people who die in their sins will have to pay for them.  Crime requires some sort of payment. 

But here is the good news, no, the GREAT news that you may be familiar with: God, being so gracious, provided the cure for sin. He nailed Himself to a cross two thousand years ago to pay for crimes. He was the only one who could do it because He was the only one without sin. He offers a way out of the punishment that He created, so, you see, He isn’t “cruel” and “merciless” but just the opposite—gracious and kind. Listen, we know we don’t deserve his forgiveness. And no one will be without excuse on the day we stand before God—and our belief or unbelief in God will not make a bit of difference. It’s like a serial murderer telling a judge he doesn’t believe in the gas chamber. In reality, it doesn’t make a difference what he believes—someday the criminal will die in that very same chamber he professes he doesn’t believe in.

So here’s what needs to be done:  you must repent of your sins, and put your faith in the One who paid it all. Repentance is more than just asking for forgiveness—it’s a turning away from sin, and the Bible promises us that once we are saved we will receive a new attitude about sin—we’ll hate it!

So if you do repent and put your faith in Jesus, God, the ultimate Judge, will announce that the case against you is now “dismissed” because Christ has paid your fine!  That’s the Gospel.  That’s the great news! 

So what’s your price?  Will you continue in your sin so you can enjoy it now?  If so, you’ll pay for it later.  Or will you deny yourself and give your life to Christ today, allowing Him to save your life?

Consider the cost.