Life after death (Part 4 of 4)

In our previous three articles, we wrote that: 1.) Physical life is extremely short and fleeting; 2.) There is life after death, but only for those who God regenerated spiritually; and 3.) Man has two final destinations when we die – eternal life with God in heaven, or endless punishment in hell separated from God. The Bible says where we go depends on how we choose, a decision we must make while we are still physically alive. Each of us will stand accountable before God.

What is this decision? Let’s look at where we are first. We are all sinners --all of us know and accept that, especially those who are from the Abrahamic religions (Jews, Christians, and Muslims). Even those who are not know that there is inherently something in us which is sinful. Hate, anger, covetousness, pride, and the like, we know and feel, even when nobody taught us these, they’re inherent in our being.

God is holy and just and would never accept anybody sinful. If left to our means, all of us are destined to hell. The Bible says that if we commit one sin, we are guilty of all, and this even includes simply “not doing right,” and that we deserved death (James 2:10, 4:17; Romans 6:23,). It is for this reason that Jesus, the Son of God, came down from heaven, took the form of man and died for us, as a propitiation for our sins. His giving up his life on the cross has the efficacy of redemption so that we can be forgiven and reconciled with God and have eternal life, which he is freely offering to us as a gift. This is the gospel. This is good news --that Jesus died for our sins and conquered death so that man can be forgiven and may receive eternal life, a gift freely offered.

Each of us stands before God in judgment (Romans 14:12), not in groups, or religion, or churches, or denominations. We each stand before God alone and each account for ourselves. Nothing that we did, or we can ever do, can save us from the penalty of the sins we committed --death. Only the redeeming death of Christ can save us, if we accept it. There is nothing, and I believe, nothing more, that we can do. To even suggest that we should do our portion of good works is tantamount to suggesting Christ’s death is not sufficient, lacking, that we need to add to it. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9).

Life after death is a gift God is offering for us to accept. He wants us to recognize our sinfulness, come to repentance, and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. “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). There is life after death. Let’s receive it in our hearts.