When you die, is that it?

Several of my friends have been asking questions about becoming a Christian. I thought it might eventually be helpful to some others if it's laid out fairly simply in writing.

So, back to the question above, what do you think? A 1997 poll by Opinion Dynamics showed that 88% of Americans believe in Heaven while 71% believe in Hell. Quite honestly, these numbers were higher than I expected.

My question is this: if you believe that there is life after death, what are you doing to prepare yourself for it? The Bible indicates that our earthly bodies are mortal and we all know that death is inevitable. Yet, if our souls live forever as the bible also teaches and as most apparently believe, what would be more important than having considered what determines where our eternity will be spent? Just as people try to save money for their retirement years, it would be even more wise to consider these matters as they relate to eternal matters.

Asking people what gets you into heaven draws a wide variety of responses. Living a good life would likely top the response list. Going to church, doing more good things than bad, having been kind to people, being a good person, or just being religious in some form would be
certain to be included as well, among other things.

Without going into great lengths on this blog discussing each of these responses, (while stating that I am a believer in both Heaven and Hell myself as based on their mention in scripture) allow me to say that according to the Bible, everyone of those answers will keep
you out of Heaven.

The Bible teaches that there is one way to Heaven. It's not good works or helping ladies across the street or attending church. It's because of what Gods son Jesus did for you and I on a cross just over 2,000 years ago. Because each of us are born and have a sinful nature (inclined to do wrong)and because sin separates us from a Holy God, He sent His only Son to live and die once and for all to pay sins price. Romans 6:23 tells us the wages of sin is death.

It's a free gift. But like all gifts, it must be accepted. We simply have to acknowledge (confess) our sin, be sorry for it, and ask God to forgive us and come into our hearts and be
our Lord (boss) and Savior. Sound easy? Yes and no.

It's easy from a procedural standpoint but most people never do it because it means yielding control over their own life to the God who created us. It means being willing to lay down our control and agenda's and follow someone else's. It is, in short, humbling yourself to say I'm
not in control and I need help God. Pride was the first sin in the Bible and was committed by Lucifer aka the devil. And Satan is still using pride to keep millions of people from knowing the joy of finding what their heart has been longing for all along.

Apart from God, we try to find satisfaction in possessions, power, family, relationships, wealth, alcohol and drugs, or something as simple as just living as we please. We are still our own boss. But, and there is no arguing this point, not a single one of us ever finds true and lasting happiness in any of these things. I've been there as have we all, I suspect.

If you've never understood how to know God or have simply been unwilling to turn over control
of your life, I can unequivocally tell you that you are missing the happiest, most contented state one can experience on planet earth. At this point in my life, Jesus is as real to me as the keypad upon which I am now typing. I know He's with me. Not to mention, more importantly, that you are guaranteeing your eternal separation from God.

Please don't miss this my friend. You were created, not to live 75 years and then cease to exist, but to know God, to serve Him, and glorify Him now and forever. I have messed up many times along the way and have a long way to go but I can promise you that life begins at the cross. It does not solve all of lifes problems, it does not make life easy, but God will give you a purpose and contentment that cannot be found outside of Him.

I am including a link to a little booklet called the four spiritual laws. It is an excellent resource which has probably been used more than any other as people give their lives to
Christ. If you have never done so, I hope you will do so now.

http://www.campuscrusade.com/fourlawseng.htm

Feel free to communicate with me @ jball999@gmail.com