News of deaths of people of different age groups both males and females are a common daily occurrence these days. Few had died naturally due to old age, while some due to different ailments. The rampaging coronavirus pandemic has caused millions of deaths worldwide. Apart from these, many who went to bed hale and hearty have died suddenly in their sleep due to cardiac attack, while some died through various types of accidents. Some were killed through poisoning by friends, while some were also killed by armed robbers, kidnappers and bandits without the opportunity to bid their loved ones farewell. Many had slumped and died just like that among several others sudden deaths. They had died with all their wonderful plans and dreams for a tomorrow which will never come. Eccl. 9:6.

Although, most people loath talking about death, yet it is a reality each of us - believer and unbeliever, rich and poor, old and young, male and female, educated and illiterate alike would face one way or the other either we like talking about it or not because; “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement.” (Hebrews 9:27). Death is inevitable; death is the unavoidable end of every living thing. Each person would die when it is time. No man has the power to defy death (Psalm 89:48; Eccl.8:8 ). No man knows when he will die.

Even though death can happen through any means, anyhow, anywhere, anytime and at any age, what is of utmost importance is where one spends eternity after life here on earth - in heaven or in hell, which is determined by how one lived one’s life on earth and the power in control of one’s life. Those who believed in Christ Jesus and lived godly lives will spend eternity in heaven which is the abode of God and His elect. It is a place of eternal peace and joy. Those who did not believe in Him and lived in sin will spend eternal damnation in hell (John 3:36). Hell, which is a place of unimaginable eternal suffering was originally created for Satan and not for mankind (Matt. 13:42). However, anyone who chooses to obey and serve Satan would have no option than to follow him to hell, the place of his final eternal destination (Romans 6:16).

The sin of disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden in Gen. 2:16-18 brought to mankind death (Rom. 6:23; 5:14) in its multifaceted aspects - the physical death (Gen. 3:19); moral death/depracy, the- spiritual death/alienation (Eph. 4:17-18 ) and eternal death or condemnation and everlasting separation from God (2 Thes. 1:9; Rom. 6:16).

Yet, God does not want any to die and perish in hell but to come to repentance (Eze. 18:32; 2 Pet.3:9). Therefore, in His love He made the gift of His gracious salvation available to the world through Jesus Christ to grant whosoever believes in Him eternal life (John 3:16; Romans 6:23). Jesus by His death made propitiation with His blood and reconciled us with God (2 Cor. 5:18 ). He abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light (2 Tim. 1:10). By His resurrection He overcame and broke the power of Satan, sin, and physical death (Rom. 5:18-19; 6:10; 1 Cor. 15:12-28; 1 John 3:8 ).

Repentance from sin, believing in Jesus Christ and making Him one’s personal Lord and Savior and living a holy life that pleases God while alive is the best decision anyone could make for many reasons such as: (a) A believer’s physical death is not death per say but falling asleep in Christ - 1 Cor:15 (b) Death of a believer is a point of transition to a fuller life, therefore, death is not the end of life but a new beginning. (c) It is a release from the affliction of this world and from the earthly body in order to be cloth with heavenly life and glory and into peace (Isaiah 57:1-2; 2 Cor. 5:1-5). At death the believer goes to be with the Lord Jesus in heaven and spend eternity with Him (Rom. 6:16).

To you reading this post I ask, in case death comes today or the world comes to an end today, how prepared are you? Where will you spend eternity? Are you aware that the number of years one spends on earth is infinitesimal when compared to that of eternity? Do you know that the way you live your life on earth and your relationship with God determines your final destination and not the church denomination you belong to, religious family background, the many years of church attendance, pilgrimages to holy lands and involving in some of the religious pieties such as payment of tithes, charity works, alms giving, or even holding religious esteem titles? Do you know that all one’s worldly wealth, goods, possessions, certificates, and achievements don’t count and cannot save anyone when death comes knocking? (Mt. 16:26). Are you aware that the worst and most painful death is not dying through any form of terrible crashes or accidents but dying without turning back to God in repentance through faith in the death, resurrection and ascension of His son Jesus Christ? Are you by faith, washed in the precious blood of the Lamb? Is your name written in the Lamb’s book of Life? Are you by faith living a life of holiness and separation unto God?

Know that repentance is only possible while one is alive. Know also that no amount of beautiful tributes written, candle lights nights observed, lengthy prayers made by the clergy, congregations and loved ones for the repose of the soul of the dead can bring about a change in the eternal destination from hell to heaven or vice versa. Know also that no form of corpse embalming, type and cost of casket, vault or mausoleum can prevent anyone from facing God’s judgment or can intimidate Him to make judgment to be in one’s favor on the judgment day. Everyone will be judged and rewarded according to his works while alive (Eccl.12:14; Rev 22:12).
Know for sure that Jesus loves you and has gone through great suffering and death all for you to live and have eternal life. Eternal life is a never-ending God type of life gotten only through faith in Jesus Christ from the moment one becomes saved and continues throughout eternity. Your soul is of paramount importance to God and should not be lost to the pursuit of worldly pleasures, prosperity, fame and popularity that are profitless and not of eternal values (Mt. 16:26; Ps. 49:17).

You cannot afford to miss this great gift of salvation freely given through Jesus Christ (Heb. 2:3). Come to Jesus Christ now for the salvation of your soul and secure your eternity with Him in heaven while you still have the opportunity to do so. Don’t procrastinate your coming to Him, believing you are still young or that you still have enough time at your disposal since the next minute is not guaranteed. Jesus is standing at the door of your heart knocking, let Him in and get saved (Rev. 3:20).

All you have to do to avoid eternal damnation is to (a) come back to God in repentance by acknowledging your need for salvation - Romans 2:23; (b) believe Jesus died for you – Romans 10:10; (c) confess your sins for forgiveness - Romans 20:9-10; (d) accept Him as your Lord and Savior - John 3:16. (e) Forsake your sins (f) Endeavour to join a Bible believing Church and grow more in ways that pleases God - Heb. 10:25.


GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO I.
www[dot]lovelashblog[dot]com