An open letter to my fellow Ottumwa (Iowa) High School graduates, Class of 1961:
Recently, through the diligent efforts of one of our fellow classmates, we have been notified of the deaths of several students with whom we graduated from Ottumwa High School some 65 years ago. Those of us who are still living are probably 82, 83, or 84 years of age. So it is no secret that our life expectancy is quickly closing in on us with each passing day. The wise king Solomon wrote that “we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” (Ps. 90:9,10). That being the case, we are all in the “fourscore” group, meaning that we can all expect to “fly away” soon.
Of course, Solomon had in mind life’s final flight—the flight of the soul/spirit to its eternal destination. For the Christ-follower, Paul spelled it out plainly when he wrote that death to the believer was “absent from the body, present with the Lord.” (II Cor. 5:8) The unbeliever takes flight, too, for Hebrews 9:27 says: “It is appointed unto men once to die, and after death the judgment.”
So, as a former fellow classmate, I want to share with each of you how you can be absolutely certain that you can look forward to this final flight without fear:
- Concur with God’s simple statement that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) and, that “the wages of sin is death,” death in this context meaning separation from God eternally—called “the second death.” (Rev. 20:14)
- Consider that God paid for the “wages” of your sin; all you need do is to accept “the gift of God (which is) eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b)
- Come just as you are to Jesus, who graciously invites all with the invitation to “come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28) Paul says that “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6) The “ungodly” included all of us, for “all we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way…and the Lord hath laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6) In other words, Christ Jesus died to pay your sin penalty so that you could have eternal life.
- Comply with God’s simple solution: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.” “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:13,9,10)
- Cling by faith to God’s assurance that by “grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8,9) And, “Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)
Nothing could make more sense; nothing could be simpler; nothing could be more everlastingly important to your eternal destiny. Will you then
6. Call upon Him by faith today—and be saved? “But as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:12)
Thanks, classmates (and others!) for taking time to read what God has laid upon my heart. I have spent more than 60 years preaching and teaching men and women, boys and girls, how to prepare for eternity. I want to see each of you in heaven when we have all “flown away.” Just bow your head now and pray, “Lord, God, I know I am a sinner and no effort of my own self will avail for my soul salvation; I repent of my sin now and accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Amen.”
Please write me if you have any questions; and, if you did just receive Christ by faith as your Savior, please let me know so that I can rejoice with you. My email address is: trbcpastor@sbcglobal.net.
God bless you, each and every one. And, Happy New Year!
Anthony Slutz, Student Council President
OHS, Class of ’61: “Made of spirit, work, and fun; we’re the class of ’61!”
YOU and GOD 