Most of us want others to be honest with us in all situations. At least that is what we say. What about when the truth is hard? Life-changing? Some truths are easier to hear and accept than others. However, if the truth is truth, then it is always what we need to hear.
One of the biggest hard truths society rejects is the truth of the afterlife. Whether there is one or not, and where a person’s final destination is.
People that aren’t openly religious bring out things they think or believe when a loved one dies. At the deathbed, casket, and graveside, we hear many things that are meant to offer hope and encouragement. Good things are said about the person who has died. Then we hear the famous lines such as: “They’re in a better place now”, “This is not goodbye, but see you later”, and “I’m sure they’re having a wonderful time in Heaven”.
Death and loss are hard. So why would we want to add to the pain with negative thoughts? It’s HARD. We want comfort. We want to find some joy in all the pain. I understand that.
No one wants to stand there and think of any other options.
What if that loved one is actually not better off now? What if they’re not in Heaven? What if you do not ever see them again?
These are hard truths that we cannot keep ignoring!
I hope to bring you some encouragement and truth in this post.
Heaven is a very real place, but so is Hell. Heaven offers a perfect, complete, amazing eternity that we cannot even begin to grasp. Heaven is a place of no sin, sorrow, pain, or death. However, Hell is the exact opposite. Eternal isolation, punishment, and pain. Hell is not a party where you and your friends will be living it up. Hell is not fun and you cannot leave when you get sick of it.
Both options are for eternity. Both options are a choice you get to make for yourself.
You see, if you do not choose Heaven, then by default, you are choosing Hell. No one gets sent to Hell for anything they have done or not done, other than for not believing in God and choosing Heaven.
If your loved one had chosen God and gotten saved before they died, then they will be in Heaven. They are better off than they ever were here. If you have not made that same choice for yourself, then you will not see them again. If you are saved and a loved one is not, then the same is true. They will not be in Heaven with you.
For those of us that are parents, how awful would it be for us to have been saved, die, and go to Heaven, but our kids never make it because we never shared with them the Truth of Heaven and Hell? Why would you ever want to keep them from that kind of eternity? Yes, I know and understand that your children will choose for themselves. You cannot force anyone to get saved. But too often I hear and see parents choosing to not “force religion” on their kids. They don’t want to raise them in church now because there is a chance the children will choose to never step foot in the church again once they are 18. I get it. What we need to realize is that until they are 18, you and I are responsible for pointing them to Christ. We are the first teachers they have. Why would we not want to give them truth, love, hope, wisdom, and eternity in Heaven? That is what Christ offers.
Salvation is so much more than just going to Heaven when this life is over. It is peace, comfort, wisdom, love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness every day. Why would we want to withhold that from anyone in our lives? Especially if you are already enjoying those things! You KNOW how good God is! Why are you keeping that to yourself?
We must live our faith out loud.
It should break the heart of every Christian to think that someone is in Hell because we didn’t tell them about Jesus. Yes, they could have rejected the truth, they could have ignored us, but they could have also believed the truth as you did.
God desires that all come to a saving knowledge of Him. He wants every person to know Him, to live in Heaven with Him, and to have a relationship with Him during this temporary life on Earth.
Will you accept that invitation today?
Will you ask Christ to come into your heart and save you?
He wants to. He loves you. But He will not force Himself on you.
He loves you with an everlasting love that you cannot comprehend. It is perfect and unconditional love. His will for you is that you would accept His invitation of salvation. This invitation is for everyone, but you can choose to accept or reject it.
John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus died because He loves you. You are worth everything to Him.
Why did God have to give His only son? Because we had a sin debt we could not pay. His only son is Jesus Christ. Jesus died a cruel death on the cross many years ago for you and for me.
We are all sinners. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Jesus paid our sin debt because sin must be paid for, but we could not make the payment ourselves. A perfect sacrifice is the only thing that can cover our sin, and Jesus is that Perfect Sacrifice.
Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus knows everything you have ever said or done that was sinful, yet died for you anyway. Knowing all the wickedness in our hearts, He chose to love us and pay our sin debt so that we may live free from the bondage of sin.
Only Jesus could satisfy this price of sin. He is the only one who can save us.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” We can’t earn or work our way to Heaven.
God has shown us how to receive Jesus as our Saviour.
Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
If you are willing to place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, you can pray a simple prayer. You must believe these truths fully and pray from a sincere and believing heart. These are not magic words. The prayer alone will not save you; you must trust that the Bible is right, believing you are a sinner, deserving of Hell, and believing Jesus paid your sin debt so you can go to Heaven. If you believe that, here’s a simple prayer you can pray right now, wherever you may be. “Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I know I deserve Hell for my sins. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I am placing my faith in You alone to save my soul and forgive me of my sins the best I know how to. In the name of Jesus, Amen.”
If you believe the verses and truths you just read, and you prayed that prayer, you are now a Christian. You are now part of God’s family, Heaven will be your home, and you have access to God anytime you choose. This is the best decision you will ever make.
Please feel free to reach out via comments or direct message on Instagram to share with us about the decision you have made so we can rejoice with you!
Stay in the Word, stay close to the Shepherd, and let Him lead you in paths of righteousness.
With Hope in His Service,
Heather
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