On the evening of January 29, 2025, a United States Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines CRJ700 airliner. The crash resulted in the deaths of 67 people. Although an investigation is still underway, it is believed that the crash happened because the helicopter crew did not see the incoming passenger jet.
When I hear of tragedies like this, I can’t help but wonder how many of these victims were in a right relationship with God. About 45,000 flights transporting around 2.9 million people occur every day in the US. It is safe to assume that everyone on board the CRJ700 and Army Black Hawk expected to go home that day. They had plans for what they were going to do after they landed and, in an instant, they were facing eternity.
We never know when our lives will suddenly come to an end. James tells us, “…whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (Jas. 4:14). Will we suffer an accident? Will we be diagnosed with a terminal illness? Or will the Lord choose today to return? We have no way of knowing (cf. Matt. 24:36). But, what is certain is that our final day will come, and we will stand before God in judgment. “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment…” (Heb. 9:27). Are you ready to meet the Judge?
Many people will foolishly live their lives as if there is nothing to fear. But, unless you are in Christ, you have everything to be afraid of. The Bible tells us that “…all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23) and that “The wages of sin is death…” (Rom. 6:23). When you stand before the Lord in judgment, what will your record show? If you are covered in sin, then there is only one verdict God can render: guilty. Before you stand before Him, you need to be forgiven.
Christ came to this world so that the guilt of your sin might be washed away. Paul tells us, “Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life” (Rom. 5:18). If we are in Christ, then we are no longer in danger of judgment. In His sacrifice, we can become justified before God.
Many have known this for a long time but haven’t yet chosen to become a Christian. Some day they will be out of time. But, in an instant, you can be free of the guilt of sin and the fear of death. “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins…” (Acts 22:16).