“And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27 NLT)
If I was the proverbial “man on the street” with a microphone, and I asked you: “What do you think happens after you die? Do you think you’ll go to a better place or a worse place?”
Depending on your frame of reference, that question could take you in a lot of directions. But the truth is, most people don’t like to think of death at all, and when they do, they perceive death leading to “a better place,” irrespective of their lifestyle.
Proverbs 14:12 (NLT) says: “There is a path before each person that seems right (seems to be leading to a better place), but it ends in death.”
What does that mean? Death in this verse means exactly what we would think – DEATH! It means separation from life as we’ve known it. Is that good? Or bad? And my answer would be “YES!”
“But, hey, wait a minute. You can’t have it both ways, right? Isn’t it either good or bad?” And again, my answer would be “YES!” Okay, what’s my point?
Some, because of the circumstances in which they find themselves are tempted to believe ANYTHING would be better than where they are in their life right now. But the reality is, that may not be true. To die without knowing Jesus as Savior results in an eternity of misery, loneliness, suffering, and anguish the likes of which no human being, apart from Jesus, has ever experienced.
And some may ask: “Why would God send me to hell? I’m living the best I know how to live.” See, here’s the deal. God doesn’t send anyone to hell! It’s not God’s will that anyone go to hell, but that everyone would repent, turn to Him and receive the gift of eternal life (2 Peter 3:9). That’s exactly why Jesus died on the Cross – to pay the penalty for our sin (mine and yours) and allow everyone who puts their trust in Him alone for their eternal life, to live with Him forever in Heaven. Which, of course, IS a much better place, not only in death, but in life.
Eternal life in Jesus doesn’t begin when you die, it begins the moment you lay down your life in humble surrender to His way and His plans for your life. By inviting Jesus to be the Lord (leader, guide) of your life, He will steer you in a way that will be satisfying, enriching, purposeful and meaningful. I think it was D. L. Moody who said: “I gave my life to Christ because I knew He could do a much better job with it than I could.”
That’s true! God’s love for you is greater than any good thing you can imagine for yourself. Knowing my life is being directed by a loving, kind, compassionate and generous Heavenly Father, gives me confidence to trust Him in every circumstance. Does that mean nothing bad will ever happen in my life? Of course not. But what it does mean is that nothing enters my life unless and until it passes through the filter of God’s permission. What does that mean?
It means NOTHING touches my life, good or bad, unless, in God’s infinite estimation, it will result in my good. It’s my choice to follow God or my own way, just as it’s your choice, but once we make that choice, God leads us on a good path that will lead us to heaven.
In Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLT) it says: “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life…”
PLEASE! I implore you to choose life today! Open you heart and life to Jesus. Allow Him to forgive you, cleanse you of anything you’ve ever done wrong, and empower you to deal with anything you may have going on in your life today.
Click on the link below to watch a brief video from Ron Hutchcraft that will help you understand better what it means to have a relationship with Jesus. This may be the moment you’ve been waiting for your whole life. You can pillow your head this evening knowing when you leave this life, you definitely WILL be going to a better place! *Click here: https://hutchcraft.com/the-bridge-to-god
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 