A woman in from our church recently passed away. I'm friends with her sister, also from our church. Her death notice stated she "went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." It was a beautiful service. How can I say that? Because most all the people in attendance knew that she was in the presence of the Lord. She wanted to people to celebrate. She was precious in the sight of the Lord!
What came as a complete surprise was that her sister was not there. She lay in ICU after having suffered congestive heart failure. She's doing well, I'm glad to report. Thanks to technology one of her family members was able to transmit the service and even some of the comments of friends and family to her sister in the hospital! She had a front row seat!
So often we read notices that say a loved one is with the Lord. But how many can really say they are with Jesus when they die? Not all churches believe the same thing. Different denominations have different beliefs. Our pastor even said there have been many who have told him they don't believe in hell because God is a good God and wouldn't send anyone there. He proceeded to explain that yes, He would. On Thursday I mentioned something similar and he just confirmed it.
So, do you know exactly where you will go when you die? How many can say with absolute certainty they are going to heaven? These are the questions our pastor asked as he presided over the service.
What is it that makes a person believe they will go to heaven? Do they believe in God? Are they basically good people? Are they churchgoers? Do they read the Bible every day? Do they sing in the choir? Are they great philanthropists? Are they good employees or employers? These are only a few questions and not one of those things is good enough to get someone to heaven. And we all know someone who we believe is not as good as we are! But what does God think?
Here is what the Bible, not the Church, tells us:
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father [which includes going to heaven] except through me. (John 14:6)
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)
Our pastor said the Bible tells us that God doesn't want anyone to go to hell--that none should perish (2Peter3:9). (Gee, I think I wrote about that Thursday!) It is not God who sends us there but it is our choice. He went on to say for many people it's taking that step of faith and believing in and trusting in Jesus that is so difficult. For some the mention of the name of Jesus brings conviction and He becomes what the Bible calls a stumbling block...and yet He becomes our chief cornerstone! It was prophesied in Isaiah 8:14 - “He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense ... and as a trap and a snare ...” Psalm 118:22 also states The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. And again in 1Peter 2:16 - ..."Behold, I lay in Zion a chief coernerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."
It's all about Jesus! I can't ever say it enough. If we stumble in our lives and get to a point where we don't know who we can turn to, Jesus will be there, if we get past our own pride and selves. That Chief Cornerstone can be our solid Foundation, the Rock of our salvation. But we should not let Jesus be our stumbling block. He's not our weakness, He's our strength. It doesn't mean we have it any easier in life but there is that blessed hope so many talk about. That hope is Jesus Christ.
With what confidence can we say we are going to heaven? Acts 16:31 says "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Then when we die we can trust in this:
2Corinthians 5:8 - Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these bodies [in d, for then we will be at home with the Lord.
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)
Our pastor said the Bible tells us that God doesn't want anyone to go to hell--that none should perish (2Peter3:9). (Gee, I think I wrote about that Thursday!) It is not God who sends us there but it is our choice. He went on to say for many people it's taking that step of faith and believing in and trusting in Jesus that is so difficult. For some the mention of the name of Jesus brings conviction and He becomes what the Bible calls a stumbling block...and yet He becomes our chief cornerstone! It was prophesied in Isaiah 8:14 - “He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense ... and as a trap and a snare ...” Psalm 118:22 also states The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. And again in 1Peter 2:16 - ..."Behold, I lay in Zion a chief coernerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."
It's all about Jesus! I can't ever say it enough. If we stumble in our lives and get to a point where we don't know who we can turn to, Jesus will be there, if we get past our own pride and selves. That Chief Cornerstone can be our solid Foundation, the Rock of our salvation. But we should not let Jesus be our stumbling block. He's not our weakness, He's our strength. It doesn't mean we have it any easier in life but there is that blessed hope so many talk about. That hope is Jesus Christ.
With what confidence can we say we are going to heaven? Acts 16:31 says "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Then when we die we can trust in this:
2Corinthians 5:8 - Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these bodies [in d, for then we will be at home with the Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment