Have you ever really thought about what happens to us after we die? When asked, most people shrug thier shoulders and say, "they hope to go to Heaven".
In the Book of John 3:1-7, Nicodemus asked Jesus Christ a similar question. The Bible says that Nicodemus was a religious man, "a man of the Pharisees. . . a ruler of the Jews." In verse 2, Nicodemus, " came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him."
We can surmize that Nicodemus knew two important truths. 1) Jesus was of God. 2) Although he was he was a leader of the predominant religion of the time, he still was unsure of his enternity. This can be seen by the Lord's response to Nicodemus.
Immediately, "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (verse 5) Although Nicodemus was a religious man, Jesus had just told him that he did not have what it takes to go to heaven.
In fact, the Bible says, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) That means everyone falls short of mark... God's Holiness. We may look on one another and determine someone's moral worth according to our own ethics, but the Bible is clear that when God looks at us, we all fall short of the mark. No one has what it takes to get to Heaven. No matter how hard we work to become righteous before God, we always will fall short of the mark.
God's Rightiousness demands a payment for that sin. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death. . ." A brief study would show us that the "death" referred to in the above verse is not that of the physical body, but of the coming judgement from the Lord himself, " And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death"(Rev 20:14)
Now if this was the end of the story, it would be safe to say that mankind would be left with a very sad and horrific eternity. However, in the same 3rd chapter of John, the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, provides Nicodemus the key to be saved from the judgement that our sin demands. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."(verses 16-17)
Jesus Christ, "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant , and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obediant unto death, even the death, of the cross." (Phil 2:6-8) Jesus Christ payed the payment that God's rightiousness demands. Only Jesus could have payed this payment because God, took on the form of man, and came to this earth to pay the debt for... "whosoever believeth in Him".
We all must come to a point when we realize that we are condemned in our trespasses and sin, that the Lord demands judgement for our sin, BUT because of His love for us, he provided the payment through his Son. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12
God's Word says, "That if thou shalt confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9) Religions will tell you that there is more to the formula for eternity in Heaven with the Lord. But God's word says that Jesus Christ payed the payment in full. The Lord's last three words while on the cross of Calvery were, "It is Finished."(John 19:30) In Whom will you place your trust?
Your eternity can be decided right now by placing your trust in Jesus. Pray a prayer like the one below with a heart that truley desires salvation through Jesus alone and you will never have to wonder where you'll spend your eternity again. "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."(Phil 4:7)
Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I believe you paid for my sins with your blood , and that you rose from the dead. forgive me of my sins. I place my trust in you and you alone to be my Saviour and take me to heaven. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Then... come to church and tell us about it!!
