As I write this, I have just recently received word of a friend who passed away early this morning. He had been in ill health off and on for serval years. Yet, he kept doing what he could for the Lord’s work. He was faithful to his church. He served on committees and boards which is one of the ways we interacted. He was involved in groups to help people in need. He loved the Lord and we all know the Lord loved Him. God loves no matter who it is, what they’ve done, what their background, simply God loves. For my friend, he accepted how God showed His love by accepting God’s free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
There is an end facing all of mankind. Let me put it this way for you. My friend was going to die a physical death, or Jesus may have come back to receive His church, but either way he was going to Heaven. Did he fear death? No, there was no reason to fear because he knew from God’s Word it will be a better place.
The Bible speaks more on the topic of hell than of Heaven and why? Could it be because it is such a terrible place and one that there is no relief from FOREVER. Torment, anguish, eternal gnashing of teeth are all descriptive of a bleak and disgusting place. It is spending eternity in the presence of Satan and his demons. It is just a terrible thought.
Of course, the alternative is Heaven with God and His Son Jesus. A river flowing from His throne. Streets as pure gold. Gates of pearl. The light is the Glory of the Lord shining forth. No sorrow and no tears. Singing in praise to the Lord.
Why did I use the word alternative? An alternative expresses a choice and it is a choice we have to make this side of death. It cannot be made after we die, it must be made before we die. The decision comes down to faith. That faith is put in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who died on the cross for your sins and rose again on the 3rd day defeating death. He did this so we might live, if we accept by faith His gift.
There are many who also make a decision based on faith. It will be an illogical faith to a Christian. Because they are placing faith that they are going to step out of this world and into another with no idea what it will be. You see they have put their faith in something that will prove to be a mistake.
You might say, pastor that is kind of hard, isn’t it? Actually no it isn’t? Every day people die just like my friend. Yet, unlike my friend, they had no idea where they were going. He did and it was to God’s Heaven.
A thought to ponder,
Elbert Nasworthy
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