KneEmail - a devotional by Mike Benson associated with Forthright Magazine
Atheists
ON MANY OCCASIONS, I have heard the oft repeated statement that "There are no atheists in foxholes..."
In other words, when it comes right down to life and death situations, even atheists will seek out help from God. However, I'm here to tell you that this cliché is simply not true, and the cross of Christ proves it. You remember the two thieves on either side of Jesus? While one of these men turned from his sins in repentance, the other one defiantly stared death in the face while all along deriding and railing upon Jesus. This man's impending death did not cause him to experience pangs of conscience, causing him to turn from his sins and unto God. Quite the contrary. He stared death in the face, unprepared to meet his Maker, and he didn't flinch.
No, there are plenty of foxholes with atheists in them. What that serves to remind us of is that we must, with vigilance, guard our consciences from being seared and calloused. Sadly, every day people go to face their Make with a defiant fist raised in the air.
Don't be deceived; a life of sin, more often than not, leads to a death in sin (Steve Higginbotham).
KneEmail: "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: 'Today, if you will heart His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion'" (Heb. 3:12-15).