等我年老的时候、临终前再信主不也一样吗？
Can't I just wait until I'm old or on my deathbed to believe?
简答 Short Answer
这个想法有三个致命问题：你不知道自己什么时候会死；年老时心可能更刚硬；即使最后得救，你也浪费了一生中可以经历神恩典的宝贵岁月。
This idea has three fatal flaws: you don't know when you'll die; your heart may grow harder with age; and even if saved at the end, you'd have wasted precious years of experiencing God's grace.
详细解答 Detailed Answer
十字架上的强盗临死前信了主，确实得救了。但这个故事不是鼓励拖延，而是彰显恩典的大能。
**这个想法为什么危险？**
1. **你不知道明天会发生什么。** 「其实明天如何，你们还不知道。你们的生命是什么呢？你们原来是一片云雾，出现少时就不见了」（雅各书4:14）。意外、疾病随时可能发生。以为自己还有几十年可以等待，是最危险的假设。
2. **拖延只会让心更刚硬。** 每一次拒绝或推迟回应神的呼召，心就会变得更加刚硬。「你们今日若听他的话，就不可硬着心」（希伯来书3:15）。没有人能保证年老时还有悔改的意愿和能力。
3. **你错过了最好的年华。** 即使临终得救（这并无保证），你失去了几十年在基督里的平安、喜乐、意义和成长。这就像一个人有药可以治病，却偏要带着病痛忍受几十年，到临死前才吃——为什么要这样对待自己？
4. **临终悔改不一定有机会。** 很多人死于突发事故、睡梦中、或昏迷状态。认为自己可以在最后一刻信主，是一个极其冒险的赌注。
十字架上的强盗是特例中的特例——一个强盗得救了（所以不要绝望），另一个强盗没有得救（所以不要侥幸）。今天就是最好的时候。
The thief on the cross believed at the point of death and was indeed saved. But this story doesn't encourage procrastination — it demonstrates the power of grace.
**Why is this thinking dangerous?**
1. **You don't know what tomorrow holds.** 'You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes' (James 4:14). Accidents and illness can strike anytime. Assuming you have decades to wait is the most dangerous assumption.
2. **Delay only hardens the heart.** Every refusal or postponement of God's call makes the heart harder. 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts' (Hebrews 3:15). No one can guarantee the willingness or capacity for repentance in old age.
3. **You miss the best years.** Even if saved on your deathbed (which is not guaranteed), you'd lose decades of peace, joy, purpose, and growth in Christ. It's like having medicine that cures your illness but choosing to suffer for decades and only taking it at death — why do that to yourself?
4. **Deathbed repentance may not be possible.** Many die in sudden accidents, in their sleep, or in a coma. Counting on a last-minute conversion is an extremely risky gamble.
The thief on the cross was the exception of exceptions — one thief was saved (so don't despair), but the other was not (so don't presume). Today is the best time.
📖 经文引用 Bible Verses
📚 推荐阅读 Related Readings
- •Don't Waste Your Life (John Piper)
- •The Art of Dying (Peter Adam)