Life is short. One never really knows what day or hour one is going to die. Death is something that comes to us all. With the most recent deaths of not only Michael Jackson, age 50, but also of Billy Mays (the Oxi-clean guy) who’s ALSO age 50, it only serves to remind me about how short life is and how we have to be grateful for every moment of life that we have.
Looking back, as a Christian, I wish I would’ve prayed more for Michael Jackson and Billy Mays to believe and call upon the name of Jesus. Their respective fates are now sealed for eternity (be it heaven or hell) and there’s no turning back. Many people say that God won’t send people to hell or that Jesus isn’t the ONLY way to heaven. But they are wrong. It clearly states in the bible in John 14:6 [gospel of John, chapter 14, verse 6] “I [Jesus Christ] am the way, the truth, and the light. No-one comes to the father [heaven] except by me [Jesus Christ]“
So really, it’s that simple. All one has to do to get into heaven is BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus Christ with all their hearts and that he died on the cross over 2,000 years ago to save mankind from sin and ask the Lord Jesus to forgive them of their sins, get baptized in Jesus’s name, repent of their sins, and they’re SAVED and assured a permanent spot in heaven. Just like that.
It’s SO easy and SO simple that people often overlook it and think there’s some type of hidden catch…..that they also have to live like Mother Teresa or something. But alas, there’s no hidden catch. That’s just it. God reaches out to ANYBODY and EVERYBODY who will listen. It doesn’t matter WHAT a person has done in their life up to that point; they can STILL be saved in the name of Jesus Christ!
All people who have ever lived on the Earth will someday face the Judgment Seat of God. And as each person stands before God and is forced to give a full account of their lives, what will they say? If the Lord asks them “why should I let you live with me in heaven?”, how would they respond?
For those who die without giving their hearts to Jesus, the Judgment Seat of God will be terrifying. But for those who put their faith, trust and love in Jesus Christ, the Judgment Seat of God will be glorious, as they shall receive eternal rewards in heaven & will receive the full “get out of hell free card”.
Some people may say that it’s “cruel” for such a “loving” God to send people to hell for not believing in him. But truth be told, the Lord gives people many, many, MANY chances, miracles and circumstances throughout one’s lifetime to come to a saving knowledge of him; even sending some people back to life after dying, in order to give certain people a 2nd chance to believe in him.
So IF, after giving the sacrificial form of himself in human form [Jesus Christ] over 2,000 years ago as a “payment” for people’s sins, and IF after giving people many, many, MANY chances to believe in him, a person still chooses not to believe, then that is not God’s fault, (God tried millions of times to get through to that particular person, right?) as God is a righteous judge and righteous God. He tried to save that person but that person refused to listen or be saved.
Think about it this way. Jesus Christ is like the person who comes into the heavenly court room to pay our “fines” so we don’t have to. All WE have to do is give a grateful and humble “thank-you” and that’s it, we get off scot-free and don’t have to worry about “doing the time”/going to hell. But if we DON’T accept his payment of our “fines”, then we have no choice but to go to prison [hell] for our mis-deeds.
Then again, God is not this hail, fire and brimstone God that people try to make him out to be. He’s a just and loving God. That’s WHY he gives so many chances, miracles and circumstances in people’s lives for them to come to a saving knowledge of him. Some people ask “well, if Jesus already payed the price for my sins, why should I have to worry about going to hell?” Well, think of it THIS way: Jesus Christ is like an eternal “Christmas present” that God gives to each and every person on the planet.
All WE have to do is pick up the present and say “thank-you God, for presenting the gift of Jesus to me”. Because if we don’t ever pick up our present and say “thank-you”, then how can we ever receive our present? Our “present” of heaven & eternal life; our “get out of hell free” card. All just for believing in Jesus Christ as Lord & savior, repenting of our sins and praying for forgiveness of our sins. It’s SO simple. Yet, SO overlooked in today’s world.
I pray in the name of Jesus Christ that God will bless each and every single one of you today & open up your eyes & heart to his eternal truth & show you that what I’m saying is true. Amen.
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