No Do-Overs!

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place[a] of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,[b] and God himself will be with them as their God.[c] 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”” (Revelation 21:1-4; ESV)

Ecclesiastes 3:2 reminds us that there is time to be born, and a time to die.  Physical death in this life is a grim reality, but a spiritual death is by far the most horrific path to take into the next life.  Our Lord gives us a chilling yet very clear picture of what this looks like in Luke 16:19-31. This passage of Scripture describes a rich man (the Lord does not tell us the man’s name) and a poor man named Lazarus.  Both men died, but Lazarus went to Heaven and the rich man went to Hell.  The rich man did not go to Hell because he was wealthy.  This man went to Hell because he worshipped money.  He did not place his faith in the awesome power, mercy, and grace of our holy and omnipotent God.  Scripture says this man died and immediately opened his eyes in torment, begging to be delivered from the flame of fire he was in.  While he was alive, he made the conscious decision to place his faith in his material riches, which moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:19), instead of placing his faith in the One who gives us the ability to obtain material wealth in the first place.  Lazarus, on the other hand, was carried by angels into the bosom of Abraham, whom the Apostle Paul described as the father of all those who believe (Romans 4:11).

The Word describes Hell as a place of eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).  Hell was not designated for mankind until humanity’s fall described in Genesis 3.  Because of Adam’s disobedience, sin now runs in the veins of all mankind.  In fact, the Scriptures tell us that all of creation itself groans, waiting for its redemption (see Romans 8:19-23).  The Word does not support the falsity of reincarnation. Scripture makes it clear that it is appointed unto man to die once, and after that comes judgement (Hebrews 9:27).  Those who die in Christ will be raised again to eternal life, while those who reject Him in this life will be judged and cast into Hell, eternally separated from God.  There is no greater tragedy in all of existence than to literally choose to both live and die apart from Christ. 

Recently, one of my cousins passed away.  Although he was only in his mid-forties, he had been battling health issues for several years.  We saw each other once a year; twice if I was lucky.  He was a very kind-hearted and gentle soul.  He has two beautiful little children, a boy and a girl.  My cousin’s parents are two of my favorite people, so knowing that they are in mourning strikes a blow that, as a parent myself, I couldn’t possibly fathom. 

My cousin confessed to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that, my friends, brings me much comfort.  He accepted Christ’s free gift of salvation years ago, and now he is in the presence of the Lord Himself, where there is no more weeping and no more pain; just an unspeakable joy that I look forward to experiencing when the Lord calls me home, too. 

Do you want that kind of peace and assurance?  The things of this life cannot give them to you – no matter how much you attain; no matter how many degrees you earn; and no matter how many “good works” you perform.  This life is temporary, but Heaven is eternal.  Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.  There is no second chance once your spirit leaves your body; there are no do-overs.  Therefore, I ask that today, at this very moment, you choose to worship the Lord Jesus Christ, and to place all of your trust in Him and nothing else.  With all of your heart, make Him the center of your joy.  Call out to Him.  Repent of your sins.  Ask Him to lead you and to guide you through this life.  Earnestly seek His face, and He guarantees to give you a peace that surpasses all understanding. Do it now. To put it bluntly, tomorrow may be too late.   

Grace and peace.