The captain of a ship looked into the dark night and saw a light in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message, “Alter your course ten degrees south.” He promptly received a reply, “Alter your course ten degrees north.”

The furious captain sent another message, “Alter your course ten degrees south. I am a captain!” Soon another reply was received, “Alter your course ten degrees north. I am seaman third class Jones.”

The captain sent a final message, “Alter your course ten degrees south. I am a battleship.” The reply was, “Alter your course ten degrees north. I am a lighthouse.” *

What is the direction of your course?

Jesus said there are only two courses in life: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13-14 ESV).

In our sin, we are traveling in the wrong direction; it will lead to destruction.  Instead of insisting on our own way, we need to alter our course.

The right course is to follow Jesus.  He is the Light of the world (John 8:12) that has illuminated the way to heaven.  In fact, He died for our sins on the cross to pay the price for our redemption so that we can go to heaven!  “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

To follow Jesus, we must place our faith and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), alter our course in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Don’t let stubborn pride lead to shipwreck of your life.  Alter your course!  Follow the Light of the World and you will receive eternal life in heaven.

-- David A. Sargent

* From “I Am a Lighthouse” (Author Unknown) as shared in Sermon Illustrations in www.ministry127.com.

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org