No Regrets

Have you ever made a decision you regretted? Choices you made, things you did, friends you betrayed, people you let down?  Some decisions have no long-term consequences.  Others last an eternity.   

In Luke 16:19-31, we have the true story of a beggar named Lazarus and a rich man. Jesus tells us in verse 22, "The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.”  And there, in Hades, we begin to get a sense of the rich man’s regrets. 

He regrets loving himself more than others. Lazarus was covered with sores the rich man had to step around or over him each time he left his home. Every single day, he had the opportunity to help Lazarus by nursing his sores or giving him food from his table. But now, it’s too late!  

He regrets paying no attention to Moses and the Prophets. In eternal torment, he thinks, “Now I grasp God’s Word could have guided me in life and preserved my soul. I know now that God’s Word comforts, it endures forever, it is full of hope, full of joy, life-giving, and it could have set me free.”  But now, it’s too late! 

He regrets having no relationship with God. O, the regret in thinking, “If I had a relationship with God I would have been mindful of poor Lazarus. If I had a relationship with God I would not be in this terrible place. If I had a relationship with God, surely I would have told my brothers about Jesus so that they would not have to come to this awful place.”  But now, it’s too late! 

Beloved, it might be too late for the rich man, but it’s not too late for you. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “… now is the time of God’s favor; now is the day of salvation.” So today, repent of your sinful ways and believe in Jesus!  Commit to follow his words, His ways, and His worship! Repent now and have no regrets later! Hallelujah! 

This is Laine Wilder for Carry the Light Ministries, bringing you Insights From an Elder. 

by Laine Wilder

author of “Insights From an Elder” for

Carry the Light Ministries