THE SHOCKING REALITY
Daily the decease of someone brings to mind a shocking reality death is real; we shall die one day. The time of ones death is uncertain. Death is a necessary end and its imminent. And as its appointed for men to die once but after this the judgment (Hebrew 9:27). How handsome or beautiful you look inside the coffin does not matter. The magnitude of the funeral ceremony and the high cost of the coffin whether in gold or silver casket or custom designed wood would not matter to God? How many men of God or the high titles they bear that officiate and grace the funeral ceremony has nothing to do with where the deceased is destined after death. Death is an appointment we must keep. Just like we have double honors we also have double death I mean dying twice. It swiftly reminds me of the double song we sing, Everything na double double (2ce) The second death is catastrophic and can be avoided depending on the choices we make now. You may live in cheerful deceit or hide and seek or dip and skip. However, three people you cant deceive are: God, Satan and yourself. Surprised! Also remind yourself that there shall be accountability and judgment.
Also some people do not believe in judgment after death. The scripture warns of the judgment of God. For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness and the people with His truth (Psalm 96:11). Also, He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth (Psalm 105:7). Some people accuse others of wrong doing and turn around to do same or worst things. Youve already condemned yourself. But there is no excuse for what you do (Romans 2:1-2). God has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from dead (Acts 17:31). Whether you believe it or not everyone shall give account of him/her self to God, the Creator on due date (Matt.12:36; Rom. 14:10,12; Heb.13:17). All men shall be judged even the quick and the dead (1 Peter 4:5-6).
Some people die naturally at matured and advanced ages, having fulfilled their purposes and reached their destinies. A great number of people die unexpectedly at their prime, leaving us to wonder why and how? While some die with assurance of salvation and certainty of making heaven, others hope for and think they could make it. These groups of people are deeply afraid and apprehensive of death. Among them are Church members who are warm and somehow very delightful. They hold stewardship positions and fulfill their financial obligations to the Church. Some occupy the pews while others have their seats in the chancels and often stand at the pulpits. They are Gods creation but not Gods children! Most desire to make heaven but have not made peace with God or have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; lack assurance of salvation. They get excited in the preaching that they could make heaven by works or the larger the money seed they sow to the Church or bless their pastor. Yet salvation is by faith in Christ Jesus only.
Entry into heaven (Gods kingdom) could be likened to entry into any world country say America but have some core/major differences:
1) There shall be no illegal immigrants into heaven. Just as one is naturally born into an earthly family and country, so has God chosen spiritual birth as a means of entry into heaven. Church membership is good but its not an entry into heaven. The only entry point is being saved or born again.
2) There shall be no entry through windows, rooftop or any other point except by the door. The scripture tells us that Jesus Christ, son of God is the only door to heaven (Act 4:12; John 10:9). Also He is, I am the Way, the truth and the Life. He assures, No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6).
3) You can choose to become a member of Gods kingdom while here on earth. Jesus himself prescribed the way: ..You must be born again (John 3:7). He also recommended, .except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). To further explain this concept, Jesus said, .unless one is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5). When you get born again (saved) you automatically becomes a child of God. Jesus introduced this concept and says, Repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:14). He added, ..whoever hears my word (the gospel) and believes Him whom sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life (John 5:24).
4) God has made entry into His kingdom very easy. There shall be no filling of multiply, long forms, no medical examinations and inoculations, no fees to obtain passports and visas, or other fees; no standing in long lines as well as engaging the services of an Immigrant attorney.
5) Entry shall not be determined by political or social strength. God is neither a Republican nor a Democrat; Hes God and is sovereign. He made commandments to guide our ways to relate to Him and one another; for human being to obey as evidence of our love to Him. Its not based on belonging to a party or a club or a church denomination. You have to belong to Jesus and be filled by His Spirit, have spiritual power Spirit of love and sound mind.
THE THREE (3) SIMPLY STEPS ARE:
A) ACCEPT/ ADMIT THAT YOU ARE A SINNER: The bible says, For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23) and the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23a). Confess and repent of your sinfulness (1 John 1:9; Prov. 28:13). Some people explain sins away. They see sins in what others do but justify their misdeeds and wrong doings. Repentance (not remorse) is acceptable sorry to God.
B) BELIEVE THAT JESUS TOOK YOUR SINS UPON HIMSELF, DIED ON THE CROSS FOR YOU AND RAISED FOR YOUR VICTORY. The bible tells us: i) The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 6:23b). ii) God demonstrates His own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8; Isaiah 53:6). iii) Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may live a new life (Rom. 6:4b). iv) I write these things to you who believe in the name of the son of God that you may know that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13).
C) CONFESS JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOR AND THE LORD OF YOUR LIFE. The scripture announces ..that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved (Rom. 10:9-10). For whosoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Rom. 10: 13). But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name (John 1:12).
STAGES OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY PROCESS:
In The Unseen Essential, James P. Gills, MD advances:
i) NEW IN THE LORD: John expounds, I wrote to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name (1 John 2:12; Acts 13:38; Psalm 32:1-2).
ii) ADOLESCENT CHRISTIANS: I write to you, young men and women (young people) because you have overcome the evil one (vs. 13).
iii) CHRISTIAN ADULT: I write to you fathers, because youve known Him who is from the beginning (vs. 14).
..whosoever .; he who acknowledges the son has the Father also (vs 23b). ..if what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the son and in the Father. And this promises that He has promised us eternal life (vs. 24b-25).
The CHOICE is ours today and every day. The bible says, Now is the time of Gods favor, Now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). God wants to give you eternal life, if you accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior and Lord of your life.
Reach: Evangelist Ogbonnaya, Godswill @weefreeministries.org or P. O. Box 720035, Houston, TX, 77272.