With a heavy, ​but joyful heart…

In Luke 24:6 we read 6″ He is not here; he has risen! Remember how He told you, while he was still with you in Galilee.” These are the seven words are among the greatest words I think that have ever been uttered or written. Because of Jesus resurrection, we who are the called now have an eternal hope. We are promised a home in heaven with Jesus and that we will never die.

Oh, our earthly vessels will cease to exist. We will one day breathe our last breath and our final heartbeat will pound and then we who belong to Christ will leave our mortal bodies and find ourselves face to face with the one in whom we have believed. The hope of eternal life is suddenly a reality. Scripture says that those who die in Christ are sleeping. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.”

However, for those who do not know Christ, the word tells us a different story about them. These people have no hope, they rejected Christ in life and he rejects them in death. If you die in your sins there is no second chance, no do-overs. Their souls will forever be in torment. John 3:3 “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” There is a very real hell for unbelievers. Unbelief is the only unforgivable sin. You cannot just know God exists, you must KNOW God, in a personal, relational way. When you do your spirit bears witness of the fact you are his. Romans8:16 “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

Today my Aunt fell asleep in Christ. Her eternity started at birth because we begin to die as soon as we are born, but it did not turn into an eternity with Jesus until she was born-again into the kingdom of God, it was at that moment her destination after death was determined. I have the hope that not only will I too go to heaven when I die, but I will see her again and all those I have loved who have died in Christ.

There have been loved ones who have left this earth and I do not have the assurance that I will see them again, it breaks my heart. We who are alive have “that day” ahead of us. Now is the time to believe. My mother spoke to her sister this morning and she said she was doing pretty good, within a few short hours she was gone. We do not know “our day,” just as she did not know that today was her day.

Oh, there is a very real possibility that Jesus could return at any moment…there will be no do-overs. He will come as a thief in the night, at a time no one but the Father knows. Be sure now…let these seven words become some of the greatest words you have ever read. He is not here…He has risen! Halelujah, Praises to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who was and is and is to come!

We have a Hope…His name is Jesus…I believe…do you?
If you died right this moment…where would you spend eternity?
I pray you truly know him as Lord and Savior?
Read his word, search your heart and be sure, please!