Heaven is sweet, Hell is hot;
You’re going to die;
Ready or not!
That is the context of today’s message. Have you ever thought about where you’ll go
once your time on this earth is over?
For many Christians, the answer to that question is “yes.” Unfortunately, many “Christians” have an
answer to that question but may not understand what the question is actually asking. Perhaps their belief is that they will be
buried on the side of a beautiful hill overlooking breathtaking scenery. Or, maybe they have already picked their
final resting place in a cemetery plot next to a loved one that passed away
before them. That’s not the type of
answer I’m referring to.
I’m asking you—yes, you—if you know for certain that when
your time on earth is done if you are certain that you will be going to
heaven? For some, this may be a
difficult question to answer. Maybe you
think that you’ve done too many “wrongs” in this life to make it through the “pearly
gates.” All those failed relationships,
nights overindulging yourself with alcohol, or bad choices you’ve made have
permanently blocked your way to heaven, you think. Well, thankfully our God is an amazing and
forgiving God (Matthew 6:14-15; 1 John
1:9; Isaiah 43:25-26; Acts 3:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17) that stands ready to
forgive all that you have done in life.
He holds no grudges and is prepared to wash your sins clean with His
blood spilled on the cross—the only thing you have to do is ask Him.
Sometimes as Christians we can get in a “rut” and may
question whether our actions, or sometimes our inactions, will prevent us from
receiving God’s forgiveness. Now, think
of a time before you received Christ as your Lord and Savior. Think hard.
Now, think of that one person you’ve been praying continuously about to
receive God’s free gift of salvation.
Are you thinking of that person?
Good. You, Christian, was once
that person. What kind of questions do
you think they have about all the “junk” that they have on their hearts?
Being a deliberate disciple for Jesus Christ doesn’t
mean that we have all the answers, but it does mean that we have the manual of
answers to our friend’s questions. 2 Timothy 4:2 tells us that we must be
ready “…in season and out of season…” to preach the Gospel. We are all dying—it’s a fact. Some will go before others but the question
remains…what did you do as a deliberate disciple for Jesus Christ? Whether the “lost” of this world is “ready or
not,” they too are dying. They’re time
on this earth, just like ours, is uncertain.
We must be deliberate disciples for Jesus Christ every single day as if
it’s our last day on earth. Our time is
running short…what are you going to do today to be Jesus’ disciple?