FINISH WELL - THOUGHTS ON LIFE AFTER DEATH

In recent months in my and Dawn’s life, due to personal and professional experiences, we’ve given a good bit of thought and attention to finishing well in life, and especially in preparation for death.

 

Recently I was asked to officiate a funeral for a person I did not know.  And, there was virtually no time to learn anything about this person.

 

So, knowing little if anything about their spiritual condition, I decided to share what I believe would be their perspective and reflections from the otherside of eternity.  This is what I think they would say…

 

“Your days are numbered.  I don’t say that to somber you, but to hopefully sober you."

 

In the Psalms, Moses stated, “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom” - Psalm 90:12

 

Since you have a designated number of days, it behooves you to make the most of them (Ephesians 5:15-17), all along living with the end in mind.

 

Scripture tells you it is appointed for men to die once and after that comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27). 

 

Death is a certainty for you.  In this life, there are few guarantees.  But, death is one of them.  You will not escape it.

 

The Bible states that the wages of sin is death (Romans 3:23).  Death, as you know it, is a result of sin.  Original sin brought about the physical and spiritual deaths of not only Adam and Eve, but also ushered in the physical and spiritual deaths of all of humanity ever since.

 

The Bible says you are dead in your trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1).  If you are dead in your trespasses and sins, the question then becomes - “What will life be like after death?”

 

I’m sure there are some reading this that believe this life is all there is.  And, as a result, you believe you may as well go for the gusto, because you only get to live once.  This is it!

 

On the contrary, there are some who, following Jesus Christ, believe that to be absent from the body (in death) is to be present with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8).  

 

On the cross, Christ Himself died for your sins.  Before He died, Jesus was asked by one of the thieves next to Him to remember him when He came into His kingdom.   Jesus replied, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

 

So Christ, Himself, asserts that there is life after death.

 

Randy Alcorn states, “For Christians this present life is the closest they will come to Hell. For unbelievers, it is the closest they will come to Heaven.”

 

The question then is - “How can I be guaranteed eternal life with Christ and God in Heaven?”

 

Jesus stated, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” - John 17:3

 

To have eternal life with Christ and God in Heaven, you must know God.

That knowledge of Him is not merely an intellectual assent that you believe there is a God.  Or, that you know about Him.  Rather, it is an actual intimate acquaintance with Him.  You know that you know that you know Him.

 

The Greek word used in the New Testament to refer to this intimate acquaintance with God is ginosko.  It was an idiom Jews used to speak of the physical intimacy between a man and a woman.

 

Let me ask you, “Do you know God through Christ?”  Are you intimately acquainted with Him?

 

The followers of Christ in the New Testament would commonly ask, “What must I do to be saved?”

 

It’s as simple as A,B,C…

 

A - dmit to God that you are a sinner.

 

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” - Romans 3:23

 

Sin is in us all.  If you’re a parent, have you ever had to teach your child how to be selfish, spoiled, or stubborn?  Exactly… What does that tell you?

 

B - elieve that Jesus Christ is God’s Son and that He died on the Cross to save you from your sin.  

 

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believed in His name,” - John 1:12

 

In this context, believe is the Greek word pisteuo which implies a belief that is so strong it informs your behavior.  You can liken it to believing when you flip a switch the lights will come on.  Or, when you sit in a chair it is going to hold your weight.  Your belief informs your behavior.

 

C - onfess that Jesus Christ is Lord of your life.

 

“...if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.  For with the heart man believes resulting in righteousness and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” - Romans 10:9,10

 

Public profession (confession) often through believer’s baptism is the initial step a person takes to confess Jesus as their Lord.  Baptism is an outward expression of an inward reality (Romans 6:3-7).

 

The most important decision you’ll ever make in this life is where you will spend the afterlife.  

 

This life is not all there is.  This life is a mere dress rehearsal for the life that is to come.

 

Will you FINISH WELL this life?  Are you prepared for the life to come?”

 

That’s what I think this person would say to me and you today…