NO MIDDLE GROUND: Whether we like it or not, whether we believe it or not, we are all going to die. After death, eternity awaits us. And Biblically speaking, this eternity will come in one of two ways.

We have been looking at how to manage the money and resources God has given us successfully. We have determined that successfully managing money and possessions involves getting our priorities straight. In setting our priorities, we must put God first in everything we do and value people and relationships with others over money and possessions.

Like everything else, when it comes to living eternally, we must have faith and trust in God for our eternal salvation. Though we are not saved by the good that we do, yet from examining the Bible, we find that as faithful managers of His resources, God expects us to do good.

Thus, we now look at what God has promised us and the assurance that we will get what He has promised.

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Asking God for Help

Father, for those of us who desire to live eternity with you, we humbly ask that you prepare our hearts and mind to meet you when Jesus returns.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen

The Bible is straightforward on this point. For each of us individually, we will receive either eternal life or eternal death. That’s it! There is no middle ground. Deuteronomy 30:19 let us know that this decision between life and death is our choice.

19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; (Deuteronomy 30:19)

This death also is named the second death. We will not wake up from this death.

You might say, yeah, I know we are all going to die.

True, but according to the Bible, the day will come when we will all wake up from the dead. Those who have chosen life will live eternally with God in his heavenly kingdom, and those who have chosen death will experience eternal death, also referred to as the second death.

How and when do we make this choice? By how we live our lives now, we are choosing eternal life or eternal death.

For instance, Romans 6:23 lets us know that our choice to live a life of sin is a choice to receive the our wage of eternal death rather than God’s gift of eternal life.

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

What’s significant is that John 3:16 indicates that for those who desire eternal life, the choice is theirs to believe in God’s Son, Jesus. Their belief in Him saves them and releases them from the bondage of sin, and gives them the gift of eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

If you are watching this video, you may have made your decision already. Or perhaps you are thinking about it.

God is the God of gods.  He is the creator of the Universe. He created us. He can do what He says He will do. He keeps all His promises. But the promise of eternal life is conditional. We have a part to play, as well. We must believe God can do what He says. We must trust in the merits of His son, Jesus, and what he did for us when he died on the cross. Then by faith, live a life of obedience to His Word.

When we make the choice for eternal life, we can be sure that God will keep His promise. This we find in John 14:1–3.

Jesus tells us in John 14:1 to

1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

Then he says:

2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And He then makes us a promise:

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:1–3)

Jesus made this promise of hope when His work on earth was almost finished and he was about to die on the cross.

He did this to give His followers courage and hope. Jesus’ words can be with hope and courage, for too, if you believe in Him. His words were designed to lift our spirits in times of discouragement and trial. He gave these words to take us through the tough times while waiting for his return.

You see, Jesus came from heaven. He went back to heaven. He promises us, “ in John 14:3 “I will come again and I will receive you unto Myself so you can be with Me there” (John 14:3).

Jesus’ death on the cross and Jesus rising from the dead are our greatest assurance that He will come back the second time.

The point is that without the Second Coming, what good would His First Coming be to us? We know that Jesus died for us on the cross. So, we can be sure of His promise to come again. This is the point Paul makes in 1 Corinthians 15:17-20 when he says:

17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!

18 Then also those who have fallen

 asleep in Christ have perished. (Split)

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:17-20) (Split)

His First Coming is our surety that He will come again.

So, what will it be like to live for eternity with God?

 Find out in Day 4: The New Jerusalem

If you wish to return the tithe or give an offering, consider giving online,

@ Adventistgiving.org

My Local Church:  

Hebron Seventh-day Adventist Church

 7902 Wheatly Street

Houston, TX 77088

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