89. IF YOU WERE OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE FOREVER, WOULD YOU TAKE IT?
(The Abundant Life Series – Batch 1)
I opened my Bible randomly this morning to Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, which speaks about there being a time and a season for every purpose under the heaven, good or bad.
The verses remind us that life consists of seasons with a definite time to start and a definite time to end for all things, whether we are having a good or a negative experience.
This is why when things are going well for us, we should humble ourselves in gratitude to the Lord and thank him, while we appreciate every single moment of it…because it is only for a season and it is also why when we are going through a trial or trouble or tribulation, we should allow ourselves to be strengthened in the Lord so that HE can take us THROUGH it because it will not last forever. It is only for a SEASON.
The scripture goes on to say at verse 11, that God has made everything beautiful in HIS time and this reminded me that time belongs to only Him.
Oh how mankind would love to have control of time, so that he can manipulate it how he wishes and somehow, find a way to slow the aging process. Make no mistake, at the core of mankind’s scientific efforts is the insatiable desire to find a way to live forever.
Sadly, they will never find it in their own efforts and will therefore be wasting time. Sadly, this WAY to live forever, has already been provided and offered to all of mankind by God the Father, through the pathway of JESUS CHRIST his Son but many refuse to believe it.
See, mankind wants to live forever but on his own terms. However, much like a little child that wants his own way, as much as he may not like it, he is not in control. He may kick and fuss as much as he likes but he is still not the ultimate authority. There is an authority and power that is higher than mankind and that authority is God.
God has made provision for those who wish to live forever, by sending his Son the Lord Jesus Christ into this world many years ago, to live and then to die for the sins of all humanity. 1 John 2:2 states “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
It is only those that believe this though and that God raised Jesus up from the dead on the third day, that will inherit this eternal life.
God has already made it clear in the scriptures, that without FAITH it is impossible to please him (Hebrews 11:6). That is, faith in the FACT that he raised Jesus from the dead, that he can do ANYTHING he pleases, that Jesus is coming again to set this crazy world aright and to mete out judgment and faith that he will gather those that are his for heaven and those that have no RELATIONSHIP with him, for hell.
How about you? Do you want to live forever?
If so, Jesus is THE way, THE truth and THE life. No man can get to God the Father unless they first accept Jesus as God the Son and believe that he rose from the dead and confess that he is Lord with their mouth, asking that he him to come into their hearts and repenting of their sins (which is living life in anyway that God hates) (John 14:6; Romans 10:9-10). Jesus made it clear while he was on earth, that he came to earth so that mankind could have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). Abundant life is in Him because he is THE RESURRECTION and THE LIFE (John 11:25). As our Creator and the one who created all things, he is the very SOURCE of life.
In Colossians 1:16-20, it declares of Jesus:
- “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
Of Jesus Christ, Acts 4:12 tells us that “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we MUST be saved.”
Yes, God is offering humanity the free gift of salvation unto eternal life, which his Son Jesus Christ paid dearly for with his own blood. He is offering all human beings the opportunity to LIVE FOREVER, where their souls will have a place reserved eternally for them in heaven.
However, only those that accept this gift through faith by believing that Jesus rose up from the dead and confessing that he is Lord with their mouth, will benefit (Romans 10:9-10). All those who reject will not just die a physical death in the natural realm (which all of humanity is prone to) but a second death in hell, where their souls will be placed in a horrible, tortuous place where the fire does not quench and the worms do not die (Mark 9:43-46).
It will be a tragedy if you should live all of your life without ever accepting the gift of Jesus Christ and the eternal life that comes with having a relationship with him. You may have RELIGION, you may have RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE AND CLOUT, you may be well RESPECTED and RECOGNIZED in the Church you attend but know this: If you have no RELATIONSHIP with Jesus in this life, you cannot benefit from one when you die.
Heaven is about A CONTINUATION of a LOVE STORY that began on earth between a human being and the true and living God, through Jesus Christ his Son.
(Written on 21st September, 2016)
