Eternal Hope

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.