Today’s demagogues are pushing the lie that A.I. and other advanced technologies can create eternal life and 2.0 humans that become their own god. Therefore, heaven is a fantasy and hell is a fictitious place that can be dismissed. Yet Jesus spoke of hell at least 20 times and called it a place of “unquenchable fire,” “outer darkness,” “everlasting fire,” along with 17 other references using the word “hell.”
Jesus said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one (Satan) who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). If you question the reality of hell, read 23 Minutes in Hell by Bill Wiese, or watch his video on YouTube.
Then there are those who believe that heaven is available to “good people” who do “good works.” Just ask the average person if they are a good person and they will always answer, “Yes.” However, heaven cannot be earned through our goodness or good works, although Christians should model those attributes. Unfortunately, a growing number of people hold the false mindset that those qualities don’t matter because there are many roads to heaven, so live your life the way you want, because everyone is going to heaven.
Jesus stated, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by Me (John 14:6). Ponder this: If there are many roads to heaven, then why was it necessary for Jesus Christ to become the propitiation for our sins and willingly suffer brutal torture and die a barbaric and underserved death for our sakes?
Eternity cannot be left to chance. For this is certain: there are only two destinations. One is an eternity of unspeakable joy with the living Christ and His Father in heaven. The other is never ending torment and suffering with Satan and his demonic realm.
This world is a brief train stop from our final destination. The Word warns, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (I John 2:15-17 NIV).
Clearly this life cannot guarantee security through the economy, bank accounts, jobs, good health, 401Ks, retirement plans, or anything that promises a secure future. The Covid Pandemic proved that nothing is secure as we witnessed the economy’s downward spiral. Businesses closed, jobs were lost, marriages ended, health failed, suicides increased, people died from COVID, and children suffered academically. Now we have inflation with the threat of another pandemic.
Mercifully, God never fails us. He has all power to make a way because He is The Way—if we choose to partner with Him. In fact, many in the early church were known as followers of “The Way.”
The world is in total chaos and offers no lasting security. Our security is God, the Creator of the universe. Only He can provide direction, peace, comfort, and joy in these difficult and uncertain times. We may have every monetary comfort, but if we don’t have a daily relationship with Him, our soul is disquieted as we yearn for solutions from a person who can turn things around. In truth, only transformed hearts and the power of prayer can create change.
Jesus came so we could have the abundant life. However, He was not speaking of what the prosperity preachers promise: abundance of wealth, lavish lifestyles, prestige, and power. Jesus was speaking of an abundant, glorious, fulfilling, everlasting life in heaven.
The late Reverend Billy Graham said that “heaven is a place of never-ending inexpressible joy, limitless peace, pure love, and beauty beyond description in the presence of God and loved ones.” Heaven is truly the abundant life. In the meantime, while we are on earth, God longs for relationship with us and that we trust Him.
Perhaps you gave your heart to the Lord many years ago, but worldly distractions and/or painful circumstances distanced you from God. The good news is that He is more than able to lift you above the disappointments, missed opportunities, regrets, failures, and any hidden sin. He is ready to bring you into a new place and new walk with Him.
The Apostle Peter denied the Lord three times, yet Jesus gave him an opportunity for redemption and reconciliation by asking three times, “Peter, do you love Me?” Peter remorsefully answered the Lord three times that he loved Him (John 21:15-17). Jesus did not make an issue of Peter’s previous denials, nor did He chastise or condemn him, because He knew Peter’s heart. The Lord’s purpose was to give Peter an opportunity to show contrition, so that he could be reinstated into the ministry of shepherding and evangelizing.
The enemy uses past mistakes to divert us from God’s plans. Christ did not come to condemn; He came that we might have eternal life with Him. However, like Peter, we must come to God with a contrite spirit. If you have strayed from the Lord or have grown lax in your relationship with Him, then I invite you to rededicate your life to Him:
LORD, I repent for allowing the things of this world to be first in my life. Cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I rededicate my life to You and invite Jesus to be Lord of my mind, body, spirit, and soul. I surrender all that I am to Your will. Fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit and give me strength, wisdom, and courage that I may faithfully pursue You and Your purposes in reaching my God-appointed destiny. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Maybe you were not churched, or you were raised in church but never made a verbal commitment to Christ. Jesus said, “… confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead and you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 NKJV). If you never verbally made a heart-felt commitment to Christ, then I invite you to say the following prayer:
Father, Your Word says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Therefore, I confess that I am a sinner and repent of my sins. I believe Jesus Christ, died on the cross for me; He rose from the dead, and sits at Your right hand. I ask forgiveness as I surrender my life and will to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In obedience to Your Word, fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for all that You have done and all that You are about to do in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
It is important to know the “Author” and “Finisher” of your faith. The Bible is life’s roadmap that reveals a portrait of God’s heart and His great love and purpose for us. If you do not own a Bible, select one that is easily understood such as the New King James Version (NKJV), the New International Version (NIV), or the Living Bible (TLB). If you have a Bible, dust it off and try to read at least one or two chapters (about one to two pages) each day.
The LORD assures us that He will be with us and never leave nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). So as the Day of His coming approaches closer, may we be mindful to use each day to pray and seek God in His Word, for in doing so, He will be a lamp to our feet and a light for our path (Psalm 119:105).
PRAYER: Father, thank you that Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the truth, and the life willingly took my punishment…a punishment that He did not deserve and gladly suffered so that I could have an eternal home in heaven. Please direct my steps each day and help me to be faithful to pray and to make wise decisions and choices according to Your will and purposes. In Jesus’ name, amen.