It’s Your Life–Eternal
Genesis 1:1-5 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day…
Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
Acts 2:23 This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. (foreknowledge–God knew because it was His plan, long before the earthly birth of Jesus, our Savior)
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.
1 John 5:11-12 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son f God does not have life.
Revelations 21: 1-7 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heave and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was n more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
What do you think is the largest hesitation that folks you know want to avoid following Jesus? Several people I know scoff as they see many Christians preaching one thing and then behaving in a manner different than the one they preach and talk. I think they also are concerned they might have to give up some indulgence they enjoy and don’t want to do that. But they all say the same thing, “I think I’m a good person, so I don’t need that. And I don’t really believe there is a heaven or a hell; when you’re dead, there’s just nothing.” I look at these same people and see frequently how much kinder, loving and good they are compared to me! But that does not save them; and their beliefs will have them spending eternity in hell. And that grieves me through and through.
I do think there are a lot of reasons others tend to resist learning about God and salvation. Yes, there are the supposed restrictions, they feel they might have to spend all their time in church, and “I’m way too busy. And what could church do for me? I can look up anything I have a question about on the internet. Plus, I do good things; I send money to charity, I help neighbors whenever I hear of a need.”
But long before He created all, He had a plan. He SPOKE, and it came to be, He SAW that it was good, and He continued with His organized, methodical plan. Just a dare. Read slowly for yourself and see if it is not mind boggling!
Many people seem to think their entire lives will change from their comfort zone into a weird and different one—folks falling down, yelling and waving their arms and shouting out praises. And I am not denying some of those churches exist. And I agree that is and feels more staged and false.
I find people closest to me, who do not believe, are the most resistant. They frankly say, they believe there is not heaven, Jesus was a nice guy, and make clear with a lot of body language that discussion over, and in a firm voice, say, “Well, let’s disagree to disagree.”
But wait! This is your life. After you die, this body is gone, but you do not want to spend eternity in Hell. You need to have a relationship with Christ, know He died for you so you can live in heaven with Him. I can show you verse upon verse that proves God created the world, that it was His plan all the time to send Jesus to be the last and final sacrifice to free us from sin. But you have to believe Jesus is the Son of God, a part of the trinity of God, and He gave up His life on earth for you, for me, for all who believe in Him.
Please do NOT scoff until you look up the many verses so I can show you… He loves you, He wants to have a relationship with you, He wants you to reside with Him in the New Jerusalem, the eternal heaven, He wants to walk with you through this life, and more. What if I am right and you are wrong? What a price to pay to scoff and reject without doing your own research in His Word. There is no expectation you or anyone else will be perfect. That is not true. Yes, there are some who judge, but His Word already has them earmarked that they will be judged with the same ruler they use toward others, it will be used on them. No one is perfect, and that is not what God’s Word preaches. The only perfect and sinless one is Jesus Christ.
So often, I think these folks are much more Christ-like than me. I still get impatient, frustrated, and many other selfish, self-centered behaviors show up. Yet, I see these folks giving of themselves, some giving of finances, but they are light-hearted, warm, loving and there is such goodness to them. Yet, I know, even as good as they are, God’s Word is clear. ‘You come to Me through My Son, believing He died for your sins, and your sins are forgiven.’
And to read the Bible is almost like treasure hunting. Initially, there may be some areas that are difficult to understand, but the more you read, study, explore, listen to pastors and bible study teachers, the more is unveiled. It’s exciting! But they do not want to open one, even an introductory devotional is put aside. The sense I frequently get, although have not verified, is that they feel they are more intelligent; the already have the answers, and the rest of us are “foolish sheep following some shepherd.”
I can agree that when one initially, especially without attending a bible teaching church, starts reading and delving into the Bible, it feels intimidating and confusing. But the connections are awesome; God used many authors over centuries to write His Words for our benefit, our blessings, and for our eternal life. He had a plan before He created the world, and it is ALL tied together throughout the Old Testament and into the New Testament. It is so humbling to read how He chose you, and wants a relationship with you, not just ‘a la-te-da, continue on your own path’ through your life, but a relationship.
So I continue praying, loving these people, tolerating their skepticism and scoffing. Meanwhile, my heart aches as I would love to know they will be in the New Jerusalem also.
Lord, You know I pray for those I love who do not know You, or even believe in You, never mind know. I am so thankful that I do, You love me, and You are there for me and ‘mybellaviews.’
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