Have you ever thought about what will happen to you when you die?

You may be like most here in the United States, in that you don't have time for God. But, if not now, when? When will you consider the end of your life? Will it be during that unplanned heart attack or loss of blood pressure in a planned surgery? Will it be when you are rushed to the hospital after a tragic auto accident? That traffic accident may be closer than you think. According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), motor vehicle crashes ranked first among both males and females as an external cause of death(1). Time may be shorter than you think. When is the right time to think about what will happen to you after death?

Regrettably, many people don't have time for God in their lives. Most folks feel that they will have the rest of their lives to think about God. I mean, really, who wants to follow some guy who walked around talking about turning the other cheek in personal conflict, loving your enemy, and helping your neighbor that extra mile. Plus, who wants big daddy looking over their shoulder, watching their every move; moves such as going to the strip joint, cheating the IRS, your employer, your neighbor or living with your girlfriend/boyfriend. Then, there is the whole, “I came to die for you and save you from your sins” notion. Many people find these assertions just too much to follow, especially when it’s easier to follow our own self interests. With so little time in our lives, it may be wise to consider what your final destination will be.

I am no expert on this matter, but I know enough to make an informed decision as to where I will be after my death. Am I afraid of death? Not in the least. When I was on the battlefield in the Gulf War in Iraq, my life was in peril, but my soul was never in peril. I can recall clearing out foxholes, and just waiting to be shot in the face. Indeed, looking into a dark hole was nerve racking, and wondering if I was going to make it home crossed my mind, but I never once thought about where my soul would be should I die. Having that assurance carried me though the difficult times in war. And now that I am out of the military, it carries me through the daily trials I face. I may not have to face an enemy with a gun, but life seems to have a way of testing our weakest fronts. For this very reason, God instructs us to gird ourselves with the Full Armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17). Many people would laugh at this silly statement “Put on the Full Armor of God”. Why should we put on any armor at all? Sadly, many people don’t realize or don’t want to realize that we live in a world full of evil. Take a look around, look at the crime in the United States alone; murders, rape, child pornography, White collar theft, and the list goes on. Of course, skeptics would say this is just the natural order of the evolutionary process. But is it really evolutionary to act like an animal and take from your neighbor what is rightfully theirs, what they paid for with their resources? Is that civil behavior amongst humans? Its funny how a professor can teach about relativism (all points of view are valid), yet when a student decides to dump the professors briefcase, the professor is upset. The student is merely living out what the professor is teaching; that all points of view are equally valid and should be respected. This brings up the point of ethics, what is ethically right and wrong. But, that’s outside the scope of this narrative. Yes, we live in an evil world; this is why Christians are called to put on the full armor of God. We must protect our minds from the Accuser, who prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Make no mistake about it, evil intentions are not good for anybody, least of all Christians.

So, ask yourself, do you know where you will be when you cross the threshold of death? Are you willing to stake your eternity on assumptions of what you think is right or wrong? Are you willing to stake your eternity on what some priest, deacon or bishop has told you? Do the research for yourself and be sure of what you know. So many people would rather turn a blind eye to the truth, so they can enjoy their traditions that they have been raised in or enjoy their temporary sin. Time is the constant for all of us, and each day we move towards our final destination. Are you prepared for what awaits you on the other side?

Think about it.

Links to help you research your decision:

Christian Apologetics Research Ministry Excellent resource for ALL kinds of material
Start with this resource, as it has well documented information to most cults as well as other 'so-called' Christian organizations.

Online Searchable Bible Excellent resource for an online Bible in many different languages
Bible Answer Man Excellent articles and basic information
Turning Point Ministries Very good radio station, very insightful
Catholic Online See what the Catholic Church is say today
Church of Satan See what the Official Church of Satan is saying
Christian Science See what the Christian Science Monitor is saying
Mormon See what the Mormon Church is saying about their god
Mormon truth exposed
Islam Introduction to Islam

This is in no way a comprehensive list, as there are just too many to list. But, this is to get you started in finding answers about the other side of death and will show you which path you are currently on.

 

What do I believe?

I would classify myself as a Born Again Christian, sold out to Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, indwelt by the Holy Spirit. I currently attend Calvary Chapel of Santa Fe, and enjoy a personal relationship with my Lord, King and God Jesus Christ. As stated above, I'm not perfect, but what is it really, that differentiates a Christian from a non-Christian? I don't place my faith in what I am capable of doing, such as working my way to heaven, but rather, I'm placing my faith in what Christ has already done for me. It was asked of Christ, "what good thing must be done to gain eternal life"(Matthew 19:16)? Christ stated that we must keep the commandments. Of course, nobody can keep the commandments, and so left with no hope, we will all perish. But there is hope, and Christ himself has provided the answer! That is the very reason Christ came to die for our sins. In the Old Testament, animals were continually being sacrificed for the sins of man. When Christ came to earth, he came to offer himself as the final sin offering, for all past, present and future sins that we are involved in. However, his sacrifice is for his followers, so one must be a Christian (follower of Christ) to actually take advantage of his gift. Without accepting his gift, we have nothing to offer God that can top his own Son's death on a Roman cross. As stated above, I'm not perfect and I do lose my temper and can get out of control. But, when I try to make amends with the other party, and talk to my Dad in heaven about it, I know I have to taken the necessary steps to make it right, and I know I'm forgiven. That is the real difference; when I as a Christian fall in trials and persecution, I get back up and press on. God gives me the strength to continue on in my battle, because I know that my battle here on earth is not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities. Behind the scenes there are spirits that speak evil into the minds of those that are without the Holy Spirit.

So, in a nutshell, that is what I believe. Some may say that Christianity is a crutch. As my Pastor has said, “it’s not a crutch, it’s a stretcher”. I'm relying completely on God to father my life, and carry me through to the other side when my life is required of me. We all will die someday, the statistics are staggering; one out of one person dies, nobody gets out of life alive.

So the question again comes up again, do you know where you are going when you die? Think about it, you only get one chance to answer this question. Know your answer and have information to back it up, before your enter deaths door to answer the question.

 

Questions, drop me a line

 

 

 

Citations