THE LINEUP

Several armed robberies had been committed in three adjacent towns., all in fast food stores, near the time of closing. The two "perps" quickly entered the store which was devoid of customers. The young female employee was ready to turn out the lights, set the alarm, and lock the door behind her. The MO was always the same, and they always wore gloves. They pushed open the door, shoved dark pistols in the face of the employee, and demanded cash. One wore a bandanna over his nose and mouth, the other wore large, dark sunglasses. Each robbery was getting more aggressive, as they shoved the young woman violently to the floor. After the third incident and canvassing the neighborhood, a woman had seen two men quickly exiting the store and running toward a dark, older model pick-up truck. The driver took off his sunglasses, jumped into the driver's seat, and sped away. Suspects were developed, and a truck matching the description was observed by an officer several days later. An attempt to stop the erratically driven vehicle was made, and the driver led the officer on a high-speed chase. The intoxicated driver crashed his vehicle and was taken into custody. Although the arresting officer believed the operator was most likely involved in the robberies, it could not be substantiated. Ultimately, the witness agreed to a lineup of the eight men presented, and she was able to identify the perpetrator of the crime.

Someday, when we leave this world, we will all appear before our Creator, in what could probably be described as a lineup. If we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior at any time during our lifetime, He will pick us out and say that we are welcomed home for eternity in Heaven. The time to make that decision is now, not when we are already in His presence. Nothing could be worse than to hear the words of Jesus, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in Heave." Matthew 7:2. "Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers.'" vs 23,

"I was thinking, that when my time comes, I should be sorry if the only plea I had to offer was that of justice. Because it might mean that only justice would be meted out to me."

Agatha Christie, author

Isaiah 25:8-9, John 14:3-4, Romans 5:8.