Eternity

This page is the most important one you will read. As you follow along my family’s journey you will notice there’s something special there. Faith. It’s what you see when someone faces a seemingly impossible situation and they have tons of optimism. It’s what gives people strength to smile when they are fighting a battle. It’s present in the person singing in church who has faced a devastating diagnosis. Why is this faith so powerful? It’s because of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. That’s the simplest way to put it. It’s because He defeated death, hell, and sin. When you have that victory through Christ there is no fear in death. “Oh Death, where is your sting? Oh Hades, where is your victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55

You may be thinking, “Well I try to be a good person. I’m pretty sure I would go to heaven when I die.” Friend, that is a common misconception, but you have to know that it is a lie. I want to ask you a few questions and I need you to be honest with yourself. Have you ever lied? If so, what does that make you? A liar. Have you ever looked at someone with lust? The Bible says that if a man looks upon a woman and lusts after her he has committed adultery in his heart. God looks at the heart, so even if you didn’t act on it you are still guilty. Have you ever wanted something someone else had? That’s coveting. It’s a lack of being content with what God has given you. There are others, but I think you are seeing my point. Even if you haven’t been guilty of all of these in action or thought, the Bible also tells us that if we are guilty of one, we are guilty of all. “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10

So you may think your sin is “not that bad.” You have to understand who the judge is though. He is perfect. He is holy. We cannot even comprehend His holiness. “And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.” Revelation 4:8 Can you imagine? Day and night for all of eternity these four living creatures will be worshiping God all because HE IS WORTHY. In fact, that’s what we will be doing in heaven. We will be honoring and worshiping God forever. There is no sin in heaven. It’s not allowed. So how is it that humans, who have all sinned, are able to enter heaven?

Let’s set the stage. You are on trial for all of the crimes you’ve committed. Your fine is so high, there’s no way you or anyone you know could pay it. After your crimes are listed out in front of you and you are about to be sentenced, the judge himself steps down and decides to pay the fine for you. Well guess what? That has already happened! Jesus, the judge, decided to come and pay the price for our sin. He never sinned. This was what made Him worthy and qualified to finish the job once and for all. He is God. He came because He loves us. He loves YOU. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” John 15:13

I pray that today you decide to commit your life to Christ. I pray that you ask for His forgiveness for your sins, let Him make you new, and be freed from the bondage of sin. “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:8-9 The Bible tells us how we can be saved. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. Believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. There’s another word that is not used too often these days, but it’s crucial as well. Repent. “But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:18-19 To repent basically means to turn away from your sin and stop living that way. Start living the way the Bible teaches. That’s a life long process that you can start today. But first, if you’ve asked Jesus to save you and you’ve confessed that He is Lord with your mouth, congratulations! The angels in heaven are celebrating because you have joined the family of God. Start reading God’s Word and allow Him to speak His letter of love to you through all 66 books in the Bible. If you decided to follow Christ today please leave a comment and let us celebrate with you!