But the Bible reminds us that a far more serious risk than flying exists. Sooner or later, death awaits us all. Ultimately, our odds of dying are 100 percent! But does death mark the end of our existence? The Bible tells us that ". . . man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). According to the Bible, there will be a judgment following our death.
But what will we be judged on? Many people imagine that this judgment will be a time where God will compare all of the good things we've done in life with all of the bad things we've done. If we've done enough good things, then God will judge in our favor and let us into Heaven. But what does the Bible say about this?
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)According to the Bible, every one of us has fallen short. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves--going to church, doing good things, or being a good person cannot save us. There is nothing we can do to escape the judgment we deserve--eternal separation from God. But God loves us:
"For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)Many have asked over the years, "How can a loving God send someone to Hell?" The Bible says that God is patient, "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9). God does not choose to send anyone to Hell--it is our choice. God has offered us a way out of judgment."For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." (John 3:17-18)It's up to us to decide whether or not to accept the free gift God has offered us. The Bible teaches that salvation came in the form of a person, Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for our sins. Jesus paid this penalty by sacrificing His own life for us. (Romans 5:8).
So how do we receive this free gift? The Bible makes it clear:
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in His name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12) [Jesus speaking] "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." (John 5:24)Right now, you can know that if you die today you will go to Heaven. It's as simple as receiving the free gift God has offered. Have you accepted God's free gift? If not, can you think of any good reason why you shouldn't do so right now?
Prayer is a way of talking to God. There is no prayer that can save you--only God can. Words are meaningless if they do not reflect the intent of your heart. Simply tell God that you understand your need for forgiveness from sin and want to accept His free gift of salvation. Tell Him you believe in Jesus and His death on the cross for your sins. Trust in Christ alone for your salvation.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)For more information, visit the following sites:
Copyright © 1998-2000 Tim A. Krell. All rights reserved. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV), Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.