The following is a thought-provoking illustration that has been passed down through the centuries: The time of the Last Judgment has arrived. God sits upon the Great White Throne. Behind Him is a curtain. Before Him are lined up those who are to be judged. Each one is called to give an account. As they do, God gives a signal and a stunningly radiant person of unspeakable beauty emerges from behind the curtain and stands opposite the one whose life is being scrutinized. When asked the identity of this glorious being standing before them, the One who sits on the throne replies, "This is what you would have become had you obeyed my voice." The radiant brightness of the glorified being is so great that it casts the one who has rejected the opportunity of being transformed by God's grace into outer darkness.

God is ready to further His transforming work in us today. Have you said "yes" to Him by putting your trust in His offer to cleanse you from sin and give you the gift of eternal life? It was for this purpose that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life, suffer and die on our behalf. He took the capital punishment our sins deserved to satisfy God's impeccable sense of justice. In His resurrection from the dead, all of His claims were fully vindicated and the means of saving those who would put their trust in Him were secured. Have you put your trust in His ability to conform you to His image? He has promised to bring to a successful conclusion the work that He has started in us (Philippians 1:6). Let us cooperate with His grace. Let us not be ashamed at His coming.