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We have all heard that an unhealthy diet can eventually lead to an early death, but have you ever eaten anything that could kill you within minutes? Those who have eaten fugu—and lived to tell about it—can say they have.

Fugu, otherwise known as pufferfish or blowfish, is a delicacy in Japan and other places where a single meal can cost as much as $200. It is served raw, sliced paper-thin, and often arranged in beautiful patterns of animals or flowers. What makes this meal potentially deadly is that the poison contained in several internal organs of the fish is one of the deadliest known toxins—over 1,000 times more potent than cyanide. If the fish is prepared improperly, and even a trace of poison is left in the meal, the eater will die 60% of the time, as there is no antidote.

For this reason, fugu may only be prepared by licensed chefs who have undergone extensive training, testing, and an apprenticeship—all of which can last up to ten years. In spite of all this, each year a handful of people who “dine with death” pay the ultimate price. Fugu poisoning brings a terrible death, as the fully-conscious victim is gradually paralyzed—losing the ability to talk, losing use of his arms and legs, and eventually becoming unable to breathe. Death occurs anywhere within twenty minutes to twenty hours.

With all of the danger, why is fugu still eaten? First of all, those who have tried it say that the flavor of this unique sushi is unlike anything else. Others will tell you that it is the excitement of doing something dangerous, or that eating the expensive and hard-to-find meal is something of a status symbol.

You and I might not ever get the chance to eat fugu, and may even question the sanity of ones who do, but did you know that millions of people—and possibly you—are taking an even greater risk with something much more important than their life?

The Bible teaches us that we all have a never-dying soul that will spend eternity in one of two places: either enjoying everlasting life in heaven, or suffering eternal judgment in hell. The Bible also identifies the reason our souls are in danger, and the remedy we need to take.

More deadly than the toxin found in fugu, the poison of sin will claim 100% of its victims. Who has taken this poison? The Bible says that “All have sinned” (Romans 3:23). What will be the consequence? God’s Word says “the wages of sin is death” and “after death the judgment” (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27). Because we have all been poisoned by sin, we are all on our way to facing its terrible end. Unless we are freed from sin, we will all be found guilty before the righteous Judge.

The good news is that unlike fugu poisoning, there is a remedy for sin. God, who is “not willing that any should perish” and desires “all men to be saved” (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4), has provided the antidote for sin. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The Lord Jesus Christ became the supreme sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:26) by dying on the cross of Calvary and shedding His precious blood. He then rose from the grave, proving His victory over sin and death.

To be washed clean from every trace of sin and thus be freed from its everlasting penalty, one simply needs to come in faith to Christ, trusting Him as Saviour. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Don’t play with death any longer. The consequences are too great. Take the “antidote” God has provided for sin’s poison. Trust Jesus now as your personal Saviour. In doing so, you will be defying death—eternal death—choosing rather eternal life with Christ in heaven. “He that believeth on the Son [Jesus] hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).

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