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Your Eternity
When you die, where will you spend eternity? Notice that I didnt say "if you die", but "when you die". You will spend it somewhere, but where? We live in time, but eternity is forever, and ever, and ever. A simple analogy is that 10,000 years is like a single grain of sand, whereas eternity is like a sandy beach 10,000 miles long, and wide, and deep. The Bible says that once born, we live forever. While we are on earth, we will decide where we will spend eternity. Why is it then that many of us spend more time on investigating what car to buy than on where we will spend eternity?
The Truth
In John 17:17, Jesus said in His prayer to his Father "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth". Our Lord repeatedly quoted from the Scriptures. In his threefold temptation, he responded to Satan each time with a quotation from the Old Testament. He spoke of the authority and permanence of the Scripture: "scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35). If we believe in Jesus, then we must believe in everything that He said and did. If Jesus lied about anything, then he is a Liar and not Lord. Therefore, since Jesus believed in the Scriptures, the basis for this discussion is nothing more than the Bible itself, the Word of God.
Heaven
Heaven is most simply defined as where God is. It is a place of rest (Heb. 4:9), of glory (2 Cor. 4:17), of holiness (Rev. 21:27), of worship (Rev. 19:1), of fellowship with others (Heb. 12:23), and of being with God (Rev. 21:3). The prayer that our Lord Jesus taught us begins with "Our Father in heaven" (Matt. 6:9).
Love Relationship
Heaven is spending eternity with the God of the Bible. In fact, this is why God created mankind in the first place. God is Love (1 John 4:8), and God is Life (John 14:6), and God created mankind so that He could share His Love and Life. God was not lonely because He is selfsufficient, but He created us to have an eternal Love Relationship with Him. God desires that each of us enters into this personal relationship, but He doesnt force us to (like robots). Since true love is only possible when we are free to choose, he allows us to decide whether we want to establish this relationship with Him. Page 1 of 7 www.Heavensoft.com
Creation of Man
Unlike all other forms of life that God created, He imparted to man of His own Divine Life (Genesis 2:7). That is, Gods Life (Spirit) was united (infused) with mans human spirit. Therefore, man was both physically alive (body in union with soul/spirit) and spiritually alive (spirit in union with God). Man bore a full visible expression of the invisible God who lived in them and was dependent upon God for his spiritual life.
Our Problem
Just as Adam and Eve had the opportunity to step out of their dependent love relationship with God, we have the opportunity to establish one. But now there is a problem. God is Holy, and Righteous, and Just in nature and those who want to be in His presence must be Holy and Righteous as well (Lev. 11:44). We must be perfect with no presence of sin whatsoever. His holy unalterable nature demands it. Unfortunately, we are born into this world with a genetic disease called sin, and it has contaminated our very nature (Romans 5:12). Therefore, due to our condition (sinful nature and spiritually dead), we are destined for a godless eternity.
died Once For All (Hebrews 10:10). Although Gods offer is available to everyone, this Gift must be accepted on an individual basis. Otherwise, it is like a paycheck that is never picked up or like a gift certificate that is not redeemed. How can you receive this gift? Only one way, through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8).
Salvation
Salvation is deliverance from eternal death and possession of eternal life, and eternal life is the life of the eternal one, Jesus Christ. There is a popular myth about Salvation that (1) if a person is good enough, (2) then when he dies, (3) maybe he will get this (4) thing called eternal life. Unfortunately, this is not at all what the Bible says: "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life [zoe], and this life [zoe] is in his Son. He who has the Son has life [zoe]; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life [zoe]. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life [zoe]." (1 John 5:11-13)
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Third, you dont receive eternal life when you die. Eternal life starts the moment that an individual receives Christ as his Savior because it is at that time that Christ begins to live in him (John 1:12, Revelation 3:20). Finally, eternal life is not a maybe. You can know for sure that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13). In fact, God wants you to be sure that you have eternal life. It is not based on your performance, but by trusting in Christs performance for us at the cross.
Eternal Rewards
Although our behavior and good works dont have anything to do with being saved, they do have something to do with the life of the saved person. It has been said that good people dont go to Heaven, only saved people do. Of course good people who have been saved go to Heaven where they are rewarded for what they have done. "Then he will reward each person according to what he has done" (Matt. 16:27).
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The two criminals who were on separate crosses next to Jesus sure werent good. Crucifixion was reserved only for the worst criminals (often murderers). In fact, by law a Roman citizen could not even be crucified because it was so cruel. Jesus told the one criminal who believed in Him "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise" (Like 23:43). Yes he was saved, but probably with no rewards.
Priorities
Jesus made it quite clear what our priorities in life should be. He said "seek first his kingdom" (Matt. 6:33). "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matt. 6:1921). "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36).
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1. Know Something
a. Your Condition
1) You have a sinful nature and are spiritually dead 2) You are unable to change it by yourself
2. Believe in Someone
1) Who He is (the God-Man) 2) What he said about your condition and Gods only provision 3) What he did (He died in your place and purified you from all sin)
3. Receive Someone
a. The Resurrected Christ as Your Personal Savior b. The Resurrected Christ into Your Life
1) Making you Spiritually Alive 2) Giving you Eternal Life (His Life)
Conclusion
In Revelation 3:20, Jesus tells us how we can receive Him. He compares our lives to a house, and He is knocking at the door. He wants you to open the door and Invite Him in. Simply thinking about getting married doesnt make you married. It requires total commitment and an act of the will. Just as getting married means giving up our independence and living in a consultative relationship with our spouse so does receiving Christ. Christ wants a dynamic and eternal relationship with you. He wants you to depend upon and trust Him, and He wants to be involved in every area of your life. The Lord Jesus Christ is knocking at the door of your life now. Will you let Him in?
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