Athletic events are a big money-maker at LSU. Tickets, merchandise, souvenirs, food, lodging, etc. related to the games provide great economic stimulus for the University and city. The tickets we used were season tickets that my parents have and so we KNOW they were the genuine article. However, due to advances in technology and printers, counterfeit tickets can be printed and sold to unsuspecting fans. LSU has placed a hologram and bar code on the tickets in an attempt to thwart these crooks from defrauding fans.
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| Take notice of the hologram and bar code on the pair of tickets |
As we made our way to the gates to Tiger Stadium, there were lo-o-o-o-ng lines to get in. One of the reasons was that officials were checking purses and bags to ensure no one was sneaking weapons, food or bourbon into the stadium. The other reason for the wait is that everyone had to have their tickets scanned by a device similar to the one below. The scanner scans the bar code and verifies that the ticket is valid and legitimate. If the ticket is good, the machine beeps and you are granted entry. If not, you are turned away and can't gain access. Even if you were well-intentioned, the fact that you are holding a counterfeit ticket denies you entry. I've read about fans being turned away after spending a great deal of money buying counterfeit tickets from a stranger - talk about ruin your day!
I'm a simple, old country boy (I'm not a preacher), but I began to think about all of this from a spiritual context. First, let me tell you, I believe in a literal Heaven and a literal Hell. Everyone wants to go to Heaven, right? Although I'm sure that they exist, I've never met anyone who is looking forward to going to Hell. That's just crazy.
I wonder how many people do you figure are holding counterfeit "tickets" for Heaven? How many people are holding that ticket of:
- Church Attendance?
- Good deeds?
- The idea that "all paths lead to God"?
- The idea that "I'm not perfect, but I'm better than so-and-so, so I'm okay"?
- The deception that "God is a loving God and therefore there is no one in Hell?"
- (Fill in the blank here)
So what happens when we arrive at the turnstile of Heaven and pull out our "ticket," give it to the attendant and it doesn't "beep"? What happens when we realize that we've been holding a counterfeit "ticket" and are turned away? This event will do more than simply ruin your day. This is eternity we're talking about.
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| The Narrow Gate |
If you want to learn about math, you read a math book. If you want to learn about history, you read a history book. If you want to learn about gardening, you read a gardening book. If you want to learn about God, read His Book - the Holy Bible. It is very clear (and simple) what you must do to access Heaven. Make sure the ticket you're holding is the genuine article and not a counterfeit. Don't be denied access!
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