What Next?
Over the course of our lives, we may have asked ourselves, "What next?" And many times we cannot answer that question. Whether it is a career choice, a family matter, or even a milestone event, life is remarkably unpredictable.
However, the Bible makes one thing certain:
"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27)
Everyone can accept that life always ends with death, but what is this “judgment?” To understand what happens after death, we need to start at the beginning.
1. Man's Purpose
God created man to have a relationship with Him!
"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (Revelation 4:11, emphasis added)
God created mankind to be perfect in the Garden of Eden, but Adam, the first man, chose to sin against God and destroyed this perfect relationship.
So What Next?
2. Man's Problem
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." (Romans 5:12)
Not only did Adam sin, but we all sin as well!
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
But what exactly does it mean to sin? We sin by doing what God has commanded us not to do...
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4)
…or by not doing what God has told us to do.
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (James 4:17)
So What Next?
3. Sin's Penalty
When man chose to disobey God, the result was death. The Bible says,
“For the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23a)
While physical death separates a person's soul from their body, spiritual death separates man from God forever in the lake of fire.
"…when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." (2 Thessalonians 1:7b-9)
Hell and the lake of fire were originally created for Satan and his angels, but because of our sin, we are condemned to die and spend eternity in Hell.
So What Next?
4. God's Payment
Jesus Christ was sent by God to pay for our sins by dying on the cross.
"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." (John 3:16)
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
God loved you so much that He sent His only, perfect Son to fully pay for your sin debt! All you have to do is receive this free gift that He offers!
So What Next?
5. God's Pardon
Jesus is the ONLY way:
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)
In order to gain eternal life and be saved you must put your trust in Jesus Christ alone to save you from your sin.
"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." (Acts 16:31)
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)
Many individuals have tried to gain eternal life through their religion or by means of doing good works, but the Bible says:
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us..." (Titus 3:5)
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone. If you accept His free gift, God promises to save you!
So what next?
6. God's Promise
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24)
Will you receive Christ as your Savior today?
In order to do so you need to:
1. Understand that you are a sinner in need of a Savior.
2. Believe that Jesus, who is God in the flesh, died for your sins and resurrected to conquer death and is alive today.
3. Choose to turn from your sin against God and depend on Christ alone for salvation (“repentance”)
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)
If you trusted Jesus Christ to be your Savior, then He has given you not only a purpose here on this earth, but eternal life as well!
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." (John 3:36)
If you have done this, or if you have additional questions, please contact us below. We would love to hear from you!
I've Decided to Follow Jesus!
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