Serious as a Heart Attack
Gary Waddell • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee • 2023-07-21
“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks” (Eph 5:4).
(Some versions “coarse jesting”)
Have you heard people jesting with the phrase “serious as a heart attack?” It is spouted often to confirm the seriousness of their message. They could have just said “I’m serious about that”. Although most of the time, we know people don’t mean anything by it and they don't say it to hurt someone’s feelings. They definitely don't say it to make light of another’s health situation. We all know that heart attacks are serious business.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), listed as the underlying cause of death, accounted for
868,662 deaths in the US in 2017*. That’s about 2,380 deaths per day or 100 per hour. Is that serious enough for you? You bet it is. Especially for those who have had heart complications in the past. Life becomes more precious to them. This morning I asked a friend and Brother in Christ how precious life was now after a major heart surgery. He was adamant about the preciousness of life on earth. The same can be said for cancer survivors and those with other life-threatening infirmities. Let us give thanks for the health we have.
Do you know someone who may be lost? (Matt 7:20) Jesus was serious when He said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Lk 13:3). How serious are you about a neighbor or a loved one’s final destination? Their life is as precious to them as your life is to you. Are you afraid they will think you are a fanatic for telling them about Jesus? Or that you’ll hurt their feelings? Are you embarrassed to tell them that Jesus saved your soul by receiving Him by faith? (John 1:12) (Eph 2:8-9).
What if your neighbor was having a heart attack? Wouldn't you try to put a couple of aspirins under his tongue and call 911? Of course you would. As believers, we’re part of a life-saving business. We plant seeds, and Jesus does the saving. We’re not talking foolishly and certainly not jesting about that! Tell ‘em the story of our Jesus. Maybe they haven’t heard it.
Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word,
and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come
into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24).
Thanks for “Taking 5" • Gary Waddell • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee
www.iamnotashamed.com • God bless and bless GOD