“And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.” (1 John 5:11-12 NLT)
The Old Testament Prophet Amos warned: “Prepare to meet your God in judgment, you people of Israel!” Similarly, the writer of the Hebrew letter wrote: “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.” Why is that important to you and me?
Perhaps you or others you know aren’t ready to meet God. Perhaps a spouse, child, grandchild, friend, or coworker. They may not know that Jesus died for their sin, but I strongly suspect they know that one day their life on earth will end. Most likely they have themselves convinced it will be a long time, not realizing God has made us no promise of a long life.
Every day in America roughly 200,000 people die by accident. What’s the implication? They leave home expecting to return, but they don’t. Without Jesus every day we wait to let Him save us could be one day too long. Please, if you’re reading this and you haven’t received Christ’s offer of forgiveness of your sin and new life in Him, please don’t wait another second.
Putting your faith in Jesus isn’t only the best decision you’ll ever make from an eternal perspective, but from a daily perspective as long as you live on this earth. I’ve walked with the Lord for more than 60 years and I thank Him everyday for the gift of His presence in my life. I have no fear of death and know that when I pillow my head each night, if He calls me home, I’ll be in His holy presence forever.
Perhaps you or someone with whom you’ve been sharing has the opinion that they have no real interest in all that religious “stuff.” I get it, neither do I. I don’t pray, give, serve, attend, participate in all the things I do because I’m religious, I do them for the same reason I make sacrifices and give of myself in my marriage – because I love someone.
It’s not about “religion” for me, it’s about relationship. Jesus isn’t only my Savior and God, He’s my best Friend. He’s promised me He will never leave or forsake me. He’s a very present help in times of need. He paid the penalty for my sin that I could never have paid, even if I had all of eternity. I’m looking forward to my inevitable appointment because for me I’ll just be going home.
But for those who haven’t received forgiveness and wholeness through faith in Jesus it will not be something to look forward to. Quite to the contrary it will be eternal misery. Why? Because you’ll have all eternity to ponder the reasons you waited for what you will then understand fully would have been the best decision you could have made for yourself.
Why would God allow that to happen you may wonder? Isn’t He a God of love and compassion? Love and compassion led Him to allow His only perfect, sinless Son to die an agonizing, painful death to make it possible that no one would have to suffer eternal torment. But it’s a gift that when rejected carries with it an eternal death penalty.
God the Father did everything possible to prevent people from having to go to hell, but He also gives us free will that puts the burden of decision in our lap. We alone decide our eternal fate – not God, nor anyone else. Me and you, my friend, are the ones who decide our eternal destination. So, please, stop blaming God for “sending you to hell,” when there’s no one to blame but the person staring back at you from the mirror.
Please, if you don’t know for sure that you’re ready to meet God, click this link and watch a 3-minute video by Ron Hutchcraft to help you understand exactly how you can know you’re going to heaven. You can trust God’s Word – you don’t want to go to hell.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 