God welcomes anyone—absolutely anyone—who sincerely turns to Him in repentance and faith, even at the last minute. The Bible says, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Do you remember that when Jesus was crucified, two criminals were executed with Him? They only had hours to live, and soon they would enter eternity and face God’s judgment. But in spite of that, one of them continued to mock Jesus and wanted nothing to do with Him; he refused to turn from his stubborn unbelief. But the other man turned in faith to Jesus, asking Jesus to save him and grant him eternal life—and Jesus did. He declared, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

But God cannot save someone who refuses to be saved—and when a person repeatedly turns his or her back on Christ, their heart grows more and more hardened toward God. As a result it becomes easier and easier for them to resist God’s call, and—like that unrepentant criminal—they are in danger of refusing to turn from their stubborn unbelief.

Only God can change our hearts, and only God can break through the barriers your neighbor has built. Pray for him, that God will break through those barriers and draw him to Jesus. Pray too that God will help you be an example to him of the hope and new life we have because of Christ.