March 27th

What Happens When You Die?

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows...He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5

You are not alone. Everyone else in the whole world has the same fear that you do. You know what I'm talking about. I'm talking about death.

Fortunately, because Jesus died for us, our deaths do not have to be the scary thing that the world portrays it to be. There are, however, many misconceptions about death. Here are just a few:

Death is the end. This is not true. Jesus would not have suffered and died and rose again on our behalf if He had not been saving us from something terrible and for something wonderful. People think this one gives them permission to do whatever they want, that they will never have to answer for their actions. Don't be fooled. We will all answer for our actions one day.

If God is a God of love, then He would never send anyone to Hell. You have to understand, God doesn't send anyone to Hell. We send ourselves to Hell when we reject the love that He offers. His death opened the door, now we have to walk through it.

Death is simply a do-over. Reincarnation. Karma. Don't believe it for a second. Jesus certainly did not suffer and die so that we would still have to work our way into a better life the next time around.

Heaven is for good people and Hell is for bad people. I have news for you-Hell is going to be filled with lots of good people, people who were so good they never thought they needed a Savior. Not only that, but Heaven will be filled with lots of bad people who knew they were destined for Hell and looked to Jesus to save them.

There are two lies in common between these misconceptions. They either get people to believe their actions don't matter or that their actions alone determine their afterlife. Both of these lies reject our need for a Savior, and that's where the problem is.

Here's the truth-Heaven is real, and Hell is real. We get one shot at life, and we need Jesus. He suffered and died to pay our way to Heaven because we cannot get there on our own merit.

What Jesus has done for us changes our eternity, but I hope for something more. As you consider what Jesus did for you, how does it change your life right now?

Prayer Lord Jesus,

I can hardly believe that You would suffer and die for me the way that You did, but I do believe. I confess that I can never make it on my own and I need You every day! Please come into my life more than ever before and help me live for You.

Amen