What happens when I die? This question brings great anxiety to people who don’t know Jesus Christ. People listening to world religions can be misled to believe they have three options. If they are a good person or they believe in a god, they will go to a better place, they get to start over, or they will disappear into nothingness. None of these world religion options bring any hope or peace. Unfortunately, Christians can also be confused if they do not know God’s word.
The Confusion Behind Following Jesus
The confusion of Christians happens when we don’t know God’s word. Without knowing the full truth of God about our earthly death, we will believe the lies we have heard, or we will create an a la carte set of beliefs from parts of the Bible to rationalize our sin-focused desires. Our sinful, prideful mindset is all about us being our own gods and occasionally wanting the all-powerful God to interact with us on our terms. If God doesn’t do what we demand when we demand it and how we demand it, then people choose to disbelieve.
The whole reason God sent his only Son, Jesus, to come to earth was from his pure self-sacrificing love. God came to live among us and experience our lives first-hand through Christ. He chose to leave us an example to follow from Jesus so that we knew that we could overcome the spiritual challenges in our soul and spirit through Christ. His final acts of love came as he died and rose from the dead to confirm all his promises were true.
God chose to watch his Son be tortured and bear all the sins and evil of the world as he died on the cross because he loved us so much. God and Jesus sacrificed everything so that we could spend eternity with them in heaven. They sacrificed everything to ensure we knew the truth and the way to everlasting life.
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:3, 5-7, NLT)
What other all-powerful entity came to our broken earth and lived among imperfect people to show them his saving hope, grace, and salvation? When you follow Jesus, you know you will spend eternity with him. What will it cost you eternally if you don’t believe and follow Jesus?
Living Like We Believe Jesus
When we don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, our imperfect life experiences with flawed people, especially those proclaiming to be Christians, can skew our belief. Our steadfast belief only comes from personally knowing Jesus through prayer, worship, and studying God’s Word. Following Jesus must be our priority over flawed people.
I’m never excusing hurtful, judgemental, sinful behavior, especially for people proclaiming to be Christians. However, as Christ’s disciples, we must never let our hurt and angry feelings from imperfect people erect a wall between Jesus and us. We must learn to live healthy lives, draw and live in healthy boundaries, and serve Jesus no matter what. Let us be the true disciples of Christ that show love, grace, mercy, and kindness.
Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!"
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied."
Jesus replied, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don't know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do. (John 14:6-11, NLT)
Only Jesus Can Save You
Many churches invite you to ask Jesus into your heart without telling you Christ’s truth. I want you to know that living for Jesus is not an easy, carefree life. Jesus endured persecution for following God. He also experienced the devil coming after him with temptations, confusion, and challenges to see if he would walk away from God. If Jesus endured these things, so will his followers.
There will be times of great joy, teaching, growth, and accountability, which can be hard but essential to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. You will also feel unexplainable serenity when you grow your personal relationship with him every day. As you walk with Jesus daily and study God’s Word, you will grow in your faith, knowledge, wisdom, discernment, and confidence. You will be forgiven, empowered with the Holy Spirit, and never be unloved or alone. You will trust that you can overcome whatever challenges you face on earth through Christ, and you will live with him for all eternity.
Without Jesus, I would not be alive today! I’m so grateful that I have him to teach me, trust, and follow every day. This world is not my home, only a place for me to share Christ’s love and saving gospel with others. I owe Jesus everything. I’m honored to serve my Redeemer and Savior. If you have not asked Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of your life, I invite you to say this prayer in complete sincerity and surrender.
Dear God, I know that I am a sinner, and there is nothing that I can do to save myself. I confess my complete helplessness to forgive my own sin or to work my way to heaven. At this moment, I trust Christ alone as the One who bore my sin when He died on the cross. I believe Jesus is the Son of God and that He did all that will ever be necessary for me to stand in your holy presence. I thank you that Christ was raised from the dead as a guarantee of my own resurrection. As best as I can, I now transfer my trust to you. I am grateful that you promised to receive me despite my many sins and failures. Father, I take you at your word. I thank you that I can face death now that you are my Savior. Thank you for the assurance that you will walk with me through the deep valley. Thank you for hearing this prayer. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer, you have chosen to be a disciple of Christ; welcome to God’s family! Please get connected to a Bible-preaching church with classes to learn how to be his disciple. Learning is crucial for you to grow your relationship with Jesus and steadfast faith.
Let them know that you chose Jesus and would like to be discipled. You have started a life-long journey that requires you to learn and obey Christ’s ways. Jesus will help you. Always trust Jesus, no matter what people (even Christians) say or do. Remember, people are all imperfect, but Christ is perfect, and he chose you!
