Are You Ready?

Nowhere To Go?

This weekend we had a really nice visit with some family members.  One of them was Aunt Theresa.  She’s my wife’s aunt (does that make her my aunt-in-law?)

Anyway, we asked if she could stay for a bit, and her response was, “I’ve got nowhere to go and all day to get there!”

We had a good chuckle over that, but the remark stuck in my head for days.  Somehow it was bothering me, and I finally figured out why.

It’s meant to be a humorous remark, I know, but the fact is it’s not true.  We DO have somewhere to go, each and every one of us.  

There’s another pithy remark that goes, “There are only two things certain in life:  death and taxes.”  That remark is totally true.  I’m afraid there’s not much we can do about the latter; like it or not, taxes are probably here to stay.

But think about that first certainty.  Each of us, every day, are getting closer and closer to death.  It is certain that every one of us is going to die– there’s no getting out of it.  And another certainty is that most of us don’t give it a thought.

Have You Prepared?

Obviously it may not be enjoyable to think about it.  Some might even consider it gruesome.  But if it is a certainty– and it is– shouldn’t we somehow prepare for it?

I’m not talking about making a will and purchasing a cemetery plot (though those are both a good idea).  I’m talking about that step beyond death.  Where will that be?

I know some people scoff and say “There’s nothing after death.  You die, you’re planted, you become fertilizer– end of story.”  But those people are wrong.

The Bible says that when God created man, He breathed into him the breath of life.  The Greek word for breath is pneuma, which also means spirit.  God created us in His image, and God is a triune being– Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Likewise, we too are triune beings– we have a body, a soul (mind and emotions), and a spirit.  When we die, the physical body decays– but our spirit lives on.  It is eternal, just as God is eternal.  So a part of you never dies.

But what happens to your spirit, that part of you that is truly you?  Poets have compared death to a door, and in a sense they’re right.  We pass from life on this earth, through death, to–

To where?  That’s the big question.  And there are only two answers:  heaven or hell.

Yes, they are both physical places.  But they are as different as can be.  

Only Two Destinations

One is a place of indescribable beauty and wonder, a place filled with the goodness and glory of God.  It’s a place where there will be joyous reunions and exciting activities (and no, we won’t be floating on clouds playing harps.  How boring would that be?  Heaven will be anything but boring!)

The other is a place of indescribable pain and darkness, a place devoid of God.  I’m sure you’ve heard people joke, “Oh, yeah, I’m probably going to hell– but hey, all my friends will be there, too!”  They imagine hell to be one big keg party.  That couldn’t be further from the truth.  Hell is no joking matter.

So let’s review the facts.  The first two we’ve already mentioned:

• Fact:  we are going to die.
• Fact:  there are only two destinations after death, heaven or hell.

And here’s the third fact:  we choose our destination.

That’s right– where we spend our eternity is up to us.  

We decide.  Or we don’t.

Let me explain.  One of those places– hell– is our default destination.  We’re all initially headed there.  Romans 3:23 says plainly, ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  That “all” includes you.  Our sin keeps us out of heaven and condemns us to that default destination, hell.  What do we have to do to go to hell?  Nothing.  Decide not to choose, and that’s what’s on your ticket.  Period.

Many people, sadly, will go through life preparing for all sorts of things– college, a career, marriage– but won’t give a thought to where they will spend eternity.  They will never make a decision about it.  They will never choose where they will spend eternity.  They will automatically head to that default destination.

God’s Plan, Your Decision

But that has never been God’s plan.  God desires for us to spend eternity with Him.  We could never get to heaven on our own, not with all our sin.  So God made a way where there was no way.  He sent His only Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for our sins.  Jesus sacrificed His life in our place.  His blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness, and by accepting Him as our Savior we are adopted into the family of God.

The price has already been paid.  All that remains is your decision.  You have to choose.

Don’t settle for “I hope I get to heaven.”  When you accept Christ as your Savior, hope turns to certainty.  The Holy Spirit will assure you of your salvation– you’ll know you’re going to heaven.  

Remember the facts:

• Someday you will die.
• You will go to one of two destinations for all of eternity.
• You choose which destination is yours.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

Now.

Are you ready?  Are you sure you’re ready?  If you’re not, don’t wait another second:  make that decision today.

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Related Posts:

“5 Things You Need To Know About You”

“Hiding From God, and Other Lessons”