It’s been a sad October for some of my friends, to say the least. I learned through my Facebook news feed that three of my friends lost a child.
One friend lost a son who was in his twenties, another lost his toddler to leukaemia, and the last lost their baby a few days of being born.
I cried and mourned for them. I prayed for God to give them peace and comfort.
My friend, with a yuppie son, posted, “I hope you’re happy wherever you are.”
The uncertainty of where his child would spend eternity broke my heart.
My Hope and Faith
I believe that families can be together for eternity in heaven. This is my desire.
The Bible says,
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
New International Version (NIV)
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will be with the Lord forever.
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Even when we get separated with our loved ones here on earth through physical death, we can find comfort in the truth that we can unite with them in heaven.
Jesus promises a reunion of families after death. There is a way to ensure where our families will spend eternity.
The Challenge
The only way to heaven is Jesus. Unfortunately, not everyone chooses to believe in Jesus. Sadly, God’s promises are not available to those who do not have faith.
The Bible says,
John 3:36
New International Version (NIV)
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
If we want to spend eternity in heaven with our loved ones, each one of our family members must decide to believe in Jesus.
Pros and Cons
Following Christ is a big decision for you and your household. Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of Christianity.
If you choose Christ:
Pros
Victory
You always win. If you don’t quit, you win. Will life be more comfortable if we’re Christians? I don’t think so. But if we work and not stop, we win.
Supernatural Help
Unexplainable peace and empowerment will come over you. You would know that it could only come from God.
Biblical Aspects Work
If your goal is to be successful in marriage, family, health, career, business, etc. then this is an excellent decision for you. You can apply Biblical concepts in all spheres of life.
Brotherhood
Christian communities are everywhere. If you go to a Bible-believing church, you can join connect groups with people who are willing to go above and beyond to help you.
Immortality
You are immortal. If you’re loved ones believe in Jesus, they are immortals too.
Heaven
Paradise 24/7. Imagine a world extremely more beautiful than ours without the negative aspects. That’s heaven, and Christians get to spend eternity in it.
Cons
Christianity is constantly attacked
You will be ridiculed and bullied because of your faith. For some reason, not believing God is a thing right now, and those who believe in Jesus are deemed ignorant.
You can’t fight back
We want to win people to Jesus with love. Christians didn’t become Christians because they lost in a faith debate. Christians experienced the love of Jesus, which made them decide to follow Jesus. So, you can’t fight back.
Note: God fights for you, so it’s not really a bad thing.
If you don’t believe in Jesus
Pros
You’re the man
You have a sense of control in your life. You could take credit for everything you do. You could do everything you want with no regard for the consequences.
Cons
You don’t get the perks mentioned above.
You only live 120 years- if you’re lucky
If Christians are wrong, you can live up to a hundred years if you take good care of yourself. After that, you cease to exist.
Hell
If Christians are right, then you have made the worst decision ever! You will experience unimaginable suffering for eternity! You will have excruciating pain, intense fear, worst anxieties, etc. 24/7.
I have decided to follow Jesus
This is what you need to do if you want to follow Jesus. The Bible says:
Romans 10:9
New King James Version (NKJV)
9 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.
That’s all you need to do. Confess with your mouth, and believe with your heart that Jesus is your Lord.
Say this simple prayer with conviction and faith:
“Father, I am a sinner. Please forgive my sins. I know Jesus gave His life as payment for my sins, and I receive Him as my Saviour. Jesus, from this moment on, I want You to be the Lord of my life. I ask all of these in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.”
Friend, if you prayed this prayer, I believe that you just got things right with God. Ensure that your family and friends receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour as well. This will guarantee that all of you will get to spend eternity in heaven.
Thank you for reading this devotional story, and I pray that it encouraged and empowered you in your walk with Christ. Please read other devotional stories on the website. You might find You Cannot Outrun God, Why Do I Pray for Others? and Why Seek Jesus? appealing.
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