When we begin thinking seriously
about the reality of death we may become uneasy about it because we start
questioning if what we thought was good about ourselves is really good enough
to get us to heaven. This uncertainty then
causes fear. We know that heaven is good and only good can be there. Yet, we know that in and of ourselves we are
not good; that is what the Bible calls sin.
·
Romans 3:23 says this also: “All have sinned and
fall short of God’s glory.”
Thankfully we don’t have to be
stuck in that “fallen” and fearful state.
·
2Corinthians 5:21 says that “Jesus Christ didn’t
have any sin, but he became sin for us so that we can be made right with God.”
That happened at his death on the cross. When he rose from the dead, sin and
death were conquered.
We can choose to continue to
rely on our own goodness but Romans 6:23 says “the wages of our sin is death.”
That leaves us no hope for heaven.
OR, we can choose to rely on
Jesus “payment” for our sin by his death and resurrection and face death with
the hope and confidence of eternal life in heaven with God.
·
Acts 10:43 says that “He (Jesus) is the one all
the prophets spoke about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have
their sins forgiven through his name.
·
Someone asked Jesus followers, “What must I do
to be saved?” They answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” Acts 16:30,31
·
I John 5:11,12 says, “Here is God testimony; He
has given us eternal life. This life is
found in his Son (Jesus). Those who belong to the Son have eternal life. Those
who do not belong to the Son of God do not have eternal life.
We can face death with
confidence of eternal life when we have admitted our sin of relying on our own
goodness and instead repent of that and accept Jesus payment for our sin. It is
then that “there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all”
Acts 10:36
How?
·
Talk to God,
·
Admit your sinfulness, that you fall short of
His glory.
·
Accept what Jesus did for you. You could not do
it for yourself.
·
Thank Him for his forgiveness
·
Thank Him for his promise of eternal life
Live and die with confidence
that you are forgiven through Jesus and that eternal life is yours.
