What happens after death — part IX
“Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes” (Benjamin Franklin). Almost every weekend I open up the newspaper to see what is going on locally. I read about how someone was killed. In the obituary section I read the names of those that passed away. I cannot avoid asking the questions, was Jesus their Lord and Savior? and, “where are they now?”
We would all love to live in a dream world in which everything is o.k., nobody gets sick, no crime exists, and in which everyone will go to heaven after death. But unfortunately we do not. The reality of death and hell still exists. We can close our eyes and repeat a chant to try to wish this reality away, but unfortunately the fact still remains, we will all one day die. It is an appointment that we will not miss. Is this too hard for you to swallow?
Because death and hell are real Jesus came. He came to die for our sins, bring us peace with God, and give us eternal life. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with god through our Lord Jesus Christ...But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life”
(Romans 5:1, 8-10). Is there anything more important than that? Can this world offer you anything better? No! “Lay not up for yourselves treasure upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).
Are you too busy for God? Are you enjoying your treasures too much that they are keeping you from receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Are you too important for God? The many funerals that I have done have not had a U-Haul following the hearse. Nobody will be able to take their possessions, their money, or their positions with them when they die. For that very reason do not let them replace God in your life! Get right with God today and receive Jesus Christ. He will give you eternal life after death (John 5:24). Religion will not save you, your church will not save you, your many idols will not save you (1 Corinthians 8:4-6, 10:7-21, 1 John 5:21), your good works will not save you (Ephesians 2:8-9), your position will not save you, your “wisdom” and philosophy will not save you (1 Corinthians 1:19-29), and your money will not save you, only Jesus can save you (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Romans 10:5-13, 1 Timothy 2:5) if you repent of your sins and receive Him as Lord and Savior (Acts 17:30-31). What is keeping you from receiving Jesus today?
No I am not asking you if you go to church! Neither am I asking you if you are religious! I am asking you though that if you were to die today where would you go, heaven or hell? You know deep in your heart and mind the answer to that. What will happen with you the reader when you die?
Rangel is the Senior Pastor of Borderland Calvary Chapel. You may contact him at 956-399-3534 or through e-mail at: gregrangel@msn.com. His services are held at 11:00am on Sunday and 7:00pm on Wednesdays at 299 E. Heywood St. in San Benito.
