I sat enjoying the visit with a couple of
elderly acquaintances. I can't really say
friends, because although we've known each
other for many, many years, we've never
really gotten that close. The subject of
death and dying came up, and I had an
opportunity to ask what they believed about
the afterlife. After death, what comes next?
They were convinced that there is
something after this life, but weren't sure
what it was. They said there was probably a
Heaven, and weren't sure if there was a Hell
or not. I asked what their thoughts were on
how to get to Heaven and talked a bit about
Jesus.
I was simply told, that stuff wasn't
important. "I was born a(n) (name of a well
known Christian denomination) and I'll die
a(n)(same denominational name)." That was
the end of the subject in their minds. It
broke my heart.
I know that the vast majority of people
in the world believe that some form of an
afterlife comes after this one. I know that
over 2 billion people claim to be
Christians. The sad part is that many,
perhaps, even most of those so called
Christians have never met Jesus.
It isn't enough to be a member of a
church or a denomination. That doesn't get
you into heaven.
It isn't enough to be a good person. No
one gets into heaven on merit.
It isn't enough to say you are a
Christian because you were brought up in a
"Christian" home, or a "Christian" country.
Being faithfully religious won't open the
pearly gates.
Serving in the church, even as a pastor,
a bishop, or a denominational president
won't get you in the door.
Going to Bible college or seminary
doesn't give you a gate pass.
None of those things matter.
The Bible makes it clear that after
death, there are only two possible
destinations. Eternal torment in Hell or
eternal bliss in Heaven.
There is only one way to avoid hell and
secure a future in Heaven. That's through a
personal relationship with Jesus.
Jesus answered, "I am the way and
the truth and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through me.
John 14:6 NIV
If you're depending on anything else, you
will be disappointed for all eternity. Miss
out on Jesus and you will literally regret
it forever.
Someone will undoubtedly write to tell me
that is a pretty narrow point of view. I
agree, but I didn't say it Jesus did. He
also said
"Enter through the narrow gate. For
wide is the gate and broad is the road
that leads to destruction, and many enter
through it. But small is the gate and
narrow the road that leads to life, and
only a few find it."
Matthew 7:13-14 NIV
If Jesus had said there were many paths,
I would gladly tell you about them, but He
was explicit about it. There is only one
path and that is through Him.
Don't worry though. The way is narrow,
but it's by no means exclusive. He'll let
any of us in if we seek and ask.
if you confess with your mouth,
"Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart
that God raised him from the dead, you
will be saved. For it is with your heart
that you believe and are justified, and it
is with your mouth that you confess and
are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone
who trusts in him will never be put to
shame." For there is no difference between
Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of
all and richly blesses all who call on
him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name
of the Lord will bbe saved."
Romans 10:9-13 NIV
What's next for you? The choice is yours.
Until next time, if you've depended on
anything other than that personal
relationship with Jesus or if you aren't
sure, please ask Him into your life today.
If you want to know how to do that simply
email us and we'll send you some Bible
verses that will explain it to you.
If you have done that already. Thank God
for His mercies and tell someone else about
them.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)!
Kevin
