Intro
This article was birthed out of a deep desire for all, but more especially those that I know and love to be fully informed and understand the absolute importance of understanding what it means to be devoted to Jesus. To have a relationship with the one and only Almighty God. That to know about Him is not good enough.
Imagine for a moment that you were me and believed with every fiber of your being that this gospel was all true and to ignore it has eternal ramifications. Wouldn’t you go out of your way to unashamedly tell others?
Bitcoin
What if I told you that I had done extensive research on Bitcoin and that in 5 years time it will multiply in value by 15x? According to Cathie Wood, an investor, it’s a new asset class. Bitcoin represents a global monetary system unlike any other digital asset out there. It is volatile, but it is becoming less volatile as more investors hold it. It’s backed by the largest computer network in the world. The layer one, which is the base layer has not been hacked since 2009 when it was released. It’s a technology that is native to the internet. Bitcoin and others are vying to be the native currencies to the internet & transform the financial services industry. Bitcoin is currently the most secure block-chain technology out there.
Maybe you’d be prepared to cancel a planned vacation or two and redirect those funds, or take on a second job for a while or sell a car to buy bitcoin. If it was a guarantee, you’d more likely take it seriously.
Let’s apply this conversation to faith, future and what you believe about 50+ years from now, for those of you reading this in your teens. Most of us live as if we are going to be around to a ripe old age, but life is unpredictable and can be taken from us in an instant.
Most of us live as if we are going to be around to a ripe old age, but life is unpredictable and can be taken from us in an instant.
You can believe that bitcoin will reach 15x its current value in 5 years, but if you don’t do something about it now, in 5 years time it will not render you any return.
Nothing, zero!
My illustration of Bitcoin has its limitations. Although I do believe its a good investment and may well render such returns. I cannot guarantee these numbers.
Jesus
Of far more importance is the question of who Jesus is and what you are doing about it today. To put it off because you are too busy, or seem to be doing okay believing Jesus exists and nothing more is required, is gambling with something way more important than your retirement and your financial well being.
Noting that Satan himself believes there is a God and that Jesus Christ is the son of God.
If you don’t know where to start I’d say make sure you are well informed as to what you are indifferent toward or saying no to. Have you read the Bible or at the very least read through the book of John which will out-line what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ?
Join a Bible teaching, New Testament Church. Get involved in the life of the church.
If you don’t know where to start I’d say make sure you are well informed as to what you are indifferent toward or saying no to. Have you read the Bible or at the very least read through the book of John which will out-line what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ?
Is it enough to know about him or does it require something more from you?
What did Jesus mean when he said in Matt 16:24-26 "If anyone wants to be my disciple, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it”?
Can I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am saved and will be in eternity with Jesus? What does it mean to be saved?
Hoping you’ve done enough when talking about your retirement is one thing, but hoping you’ve done enough with the life here after is unthinkable and totally avoidable.
Having a peace that passes all understanding knowing without a shadow of a doubt that you will be in eternity is possible. Being good, kind, not cheating on your taxes and believing there is a God is not enough.
Living with an eternal purpose and having an understanding of what God had in mind when creating you and me is of utmost importance to how you live out your life here on earth.
1 John 5:13, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”
John 10:28 “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
What does it mean when Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me?”
You see what you believe about the end will determine how you live your life now. It is the greatest adventure you will ever go on if you pursue it with your
whole heart.
Eternity
In a vivid illustration, given by Francis Chan, he holds one end of a very long white rope, which has 6 inches of red tape wrapped around it. You can’t see the other end but imagine it goes on forever. The 6 inches of red tape represents your and my life here on earth and the rest represents eternity. We spend all our time, effort, money and resources on ensuring our life here on earth is fun, comfortable and invested in. In fact we save, plan for and dream about our retirement which could represent 1inch of the end of the red tape on that rope. But we spend very little time on planning for and ensuring eternity is properly secured, which represents a much much longer time period. Eternity, forever and ever.
we spend very little time on planning for and ensuring eternity is properly secured
With that illustration in mind, and if there is a remote chance of it being true, would you be prepared to gamble with not making absolutely 100% sure that you have thoroughly investigated whatever it takes to secure that your eternity is guaranteed to be in heaven with Jesus Christ?
I can tell you the alternative is horrifying and not something to glibly think it doesn’t exist or that that place is reserved only for really bad people.
If you are a parent and have been entrusted with a child or children. Have you considered the influence and responsibility you carry in leading them spiritually
into the same decision?
It’s not only just yourself to consider but you will also be answerable to how you led and parented someone else entrusted to your care.
Psalm 86:8-13
"There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
nor are there any works like yours.
All the nations you have made shall come
and worship before you, O Lord,
and shall glorify your name.
For you are great and do wondrous things;
you alone are God.
Teach me your way, O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your steadfast love toward me;
you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol."
Brandocrasy