Who of us haven’t dreamed of hitting the lottery? The Mega Million—have you and your spouse talked in wishful whispers of all the things you would do if you suddenly found yourself completely and forever, filthy rich? I know we have. Of course, in order to win the lottery, you have to play the lottery. The same can be said about God and His eternal kingdom.

Imagine…you have been guaranteed that if you purchase a Mega Million, you will win the jackpot. And not the small scratch off prize, the BIG prize! And in your earthly wisdom you say, no thank you. I am not interested. What?! I can’t imagine that any of us would say that! Now, what if you were told that someone loves you so completely, that He died for you. He is preparing a special place just for you, where you will live in eternal harmony, peace and love. All that is required…you must accept His gift. Would you also say, I am not interested? I can’t imagine why?

Jesus died for your sins. Yes—you have sinned. We all have. I am sure there have been times that I have sinned before I even got out of bed in the morning. God is righteous and just; He cannot allow someone who has sinned to enter into His eternal presence. So, knowing there is no way for us to achieve or work our way, no way for us to be good enough, Jesus died on the cross in our place. His sacrifice washes us clean of our sins. And through faith in Him, not through living the “good life,” we find forgiveness. Who of us knowing all of that would choose instead to face eternity immersed in darkness and suffering…all because we didn’t want to accept His gift? Can you see the inconsistency…the insanity of this choice?

I’ve heard it said, “If you can live your life as you want and then at the end, ask for forgiveness, what’s the point?” Don’t be fooled dear friend! God will not be mocked. He knows your heart and He knows your intentions. You cannot just whisper a prayer and find yourself forgiven. You must mean it and you must acknowledge His power and your wickedness before Him. Yes, I said wickedness! All the goodness we try to do are but filthy rags to God. You cannot bargain with God; He cannot be manipulated, and He cannot be fooled. He sees into the depths of your soul, and even then, He loves you and He is reaching out to you. He is seeking you today…turn around and walk towards Him.

How many movies have we seen where our hero dives into the far hidden reaches of the earth to uncover a treasurer so valuable, they spend the rest of the movie, trying to outrun those attempting to steal it back from them? God’s kingdom is a treasure far more precious than anything we can dream up. It is a treasurer that cannot be taken away once you have placed your faith in Christ. It is a treasure that is being offered to you today. It doesn’t require that you purchase anything. It only requires that you humble your heart before the maker of the universe, acknowledge how helpless and incomplete you truly are, and ask Him to enter into your heart. Won’t you accept His treasure today?