AP

By James Jeffery

Looking back on our lives, we all have things we would do differently if we had the opportunity.

We often think to ourselves, “If only I …”

• … invested my money differently.

• … had chosen a different career.

• …had spent more time with my family.

We all have things we wish we could change about our past. Can you think of the last time you said, “If only…”?

The Danger of “If Only I…”

While it may be an appealing idea to go back in time and change the past, we simply do not have the power to do so. Therefore, constantly wondering ‘If only I…’ is a futile thing.

Furthermore, when we become consumed with the past, we miss the present, and forget about the future. Dwelling endlessly on the past robs us of the joy we could have by thanking God for the blessings He has given us right here, right now.

Furthermore, constantly thinking ‘If only I…’ leads us to believe that the way our life panned out was a mistake, or just happened by chance. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The Bible tells us that nothing happens by chance. God works all things together for His glory and the good of those who love Him. Knowing God allows us to make sense of life.

Without God, life is a tragedy at best, and a cruel and dark abyss at worst.

‘If Only I…’ and the Christian Life

By God’s grace, some people come to know the forgiveness of Jesus in their twilight years. This proves that it is not too late for you to come to Jesus if you do not yet know Him. Indeed, the thief on the cross received salvation moments before his death.

This said, many people who become Christians late in life wrestle with regrets. They wonder why God did not save them earlier. This week, I heard of someone like this. He reflected on the many years that he lived apart from God and wondered, ‘If only I became a Christian when I was young…’ However, is it helpful to think like this?

Maybe you went to church regularly in your childhood, but it was only recently that you began to take Jesus seriously. You regret not taking Him seriously earlier.

However, little is to be gained by meditating on what we could have done. What matters is whether we are currently fixing our eyes on the gracious God who saves sinners like us. By doing so, we stop asking ‘If only I…’ and start praising God that He did not leave us on our path of destruction.

Salvation is a Gift of God

It is not for us to know why God does what He does. Our responsibility is to recognise that God does all things for our good and His glory.

Whether we came to Christ when we were 8 or when we were 80, our salvation is an undeserved gift from God.  This is the most liberating, beautiful, and life-giving news you could ever hear. Your salvation had nothing to do with you and everything to do with God.

This also means there is no room for boasting. If grace is a gift, then you contributed nothing to receive it. Everything we have was freely given to us by a merciful and gracious God.

This has implications for everyone:

• If you have been a Christian for one week, praise God for His grace toward you, and for sparing your life.

• If you have been a Christian for 80 years, praise God for His many years of faithfulness toward you.

• If you are not yet a Christian, come to Jesus today. Let go of your pride, your bitterness, and your sin, and bring it to Jesus. Salvation is not based on your track record, but on Jesus’ perfect performance on your behalf.

The Bottom Line

If you reject Jesus, one day you will face God’s judgment for your sin. On that day, you will mourn and weep, ‘If only I had repented of my sin and trusted in Jesus Christ.’ This is the most tragic ‘If only I…’

If you want to escape His judgment, look to Christ today. For be assured that it is only when we look to Jesus that we stop saying, ‘If only I…’ and start saying ‘By the grace of God I am what I am.’

Closing Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for sparing us from Your wrath by the blood of Your precious Son. Holy Spirit, give us humility to remember that our salvation is a gift we did not earn.

Instil in our hearts a great love for the lost, that they too may enjoy the blessing of being in a right relationship with You.

In Jesus’ Name we pray,

Amen.