During my early years as an investigator, my partner and I followed many leads in an attempt to solve cold-case homicides. One was an unsolved murder of a young woman in our jurisdiction. Like so many other cold cases, we felt we knew who committed the crime, but we didn’t have the evidence to prove it.

One night, we visited another county to find our suspect’s current girlfriend after she reported a domestic violence incident. This gave us a chance to ask her about his involvement in the old murder case.

For a moment, I could see she wanted to tell us. She knew something, and she was on the verge of spilling the beans. After a few minutes of thought, however, her expression changed, and she refused to talk. She abruptly ended the conversation.

Even though she wouldn’t help us solve the murder, I knew this lady was still in danger. I advised her to get out of her current situation. I warned her that the boyfriend was capable of murder, and the next time he assaulted her, he might kill her. We even offered to help her leave. Again, she thought about it and politely refused.

A few months later, we received word that the lady we interviewed that night had been murdered. Her life was taken, and, of course, her boyfriend was the suspect. My mind went back to the night we tried to warn her. Deep down, she knew we were right, but she refused to accept the truth. She made a terrible decision that cost her life.

This story repeats itself daily in the lives of many people I encounter. Poor choices result in tragedy and ruined lives. Some consequences last a lifetime. Still others, for eternity. The finality of it all is sobering. God’s word teaches two things to be true: earthly life will end, and judgement will follow. Thankfully, judgment need not result in condemnation. God has provided a way.

For millennia, God sent messengers and messages, warning of judgment and yet offering pardon. Jesus said, “Repent and believe the good news.” (Mark 1:15) Paul said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31) And Peter said, “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.” (Acts 3:19) Those are but a few.

Somewhere along the way, I found that offer too good to refuse. Considering the warning and the consequences, it wasn’t that difficult to choose. Nothing this world has to offer is worth more than a soul. Though I am undeserving, God’s acceptance and forgiveness are both complete and eternal. I highly recommend it. The alternative is unthinkable.

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20,21)