Wednesday, September 14, 2016

September 15, 2016

"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him." Hebrews 9:27-28

You have an "ever after". So do I.

God created you and designed you to live forever and you will. The time you spend in your flesh and blood and bone body is limited to seven or eight decades, but your spirit will live "ever after."

That begs the question, "Ever after what?"

Good question! Let's talk about that.

In our finite world of time, we are familiar with "after". "After" is the next thing to happen when the current thing transpires. We live in the world of "now" and "after". You look at your schedule now and look at the things you have scheduled after.

But the Scripture tells us that there is a day coming when we run out of "after" and move to the world of "ever". Then what?

How you answer the question of "ever" depends on what you do in the "after". For example, what will you do "after" you read this article? How will you respond to the truth expressed in the Scripture?

Here's my take on this "ever after" question.

Your "ever" is determined by what you do "after" you know the truth about Jesus. Once you are presented with the truth that you are a sinner and because your sin separates you from God, your "ever" does not look optimistic. If you continue trying to earn your own salvation you will be lost "ever after" you die. But, if you confess your sins and repent of your sinfulness and turn to Christ "after" you hear the truth of the Gospel, your "ever" suddenly becomes happy.

Your "ever' begins the moment "after" you are born, but your happy "ever" starts "after" you are born again! When God breathes the life of His Holy Spirit into your spirit you become spiritually alive and one with God through Christ. "Ever after" that decision, your whole world changes. You gain abundant life here and eternal life "after".

How does your "ever" look? What will you do "after" you know the truth