The Opposite

10/06/2007

Sometimes, we get so used to hearing, reading and knowing things, we rarely think of what the opposite of that would be. What if we said, “Yes,” instead of, “No”? What if changing the course of our lives, and our eternal future, could be that simple? What does God’s Word have to say about this?

He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good, seeking after
the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his
anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth
and practice evil deeds. Romans 3:3-8 (NLT)

Jesus Christ has gone to prepare a place for all of us when we leave this earth, and I believe God sends some back from Heaven to tell us about it! Why? Because it encourages us! It helps us! It gives us hope that all we are believing in really exists! God knows how difficult this is for us!

The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies
of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the
dead after Jesus’ resurrection. They left the cemetery, went into the
holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.
Matthew 27:51b-53 (NLT)

When our son Phil was given a glimpse of Heaven, just two days before God actually took him Home to be with Him for all of eternity, I asked Phil some questions. I wish I had asked him more, but it’s probably a miracle that I was able to ask him anything at all considering the very difficult time that was in our lives…our son was leaving us…and very soon. After Phil saw a light, I remember asking him, “Did you see Jesus?” Phil answered, “No. But there were a lot of people there.” Phil isn’t the only one to have experienced this; he’s just probably the closest one to me who ever will.

Phil was angry when he returned to his sickbed that night…he had a tone to his voice that was rare for our young son--I knew something had changed. It no longer mattered to him that he was surrounded by everything he loved in his bedroom--he had seen Heaven! Wow! Once Phil saw what awaited him, this world no longer held his interest.

So, what does this have to do with opposites? Well, it has to do with our choices in this life. Heaven or Hell? Which will it be for us when we leave this earth? Can we choose a better way if we will choose to look to God and believe, instead of looking away in disbelief? That’s what we all must decide while we are still here. We can’t know all that Hell will hold, but we should be aware that Hell is real, just as Heaven is real.

Thank you Jesus for the Hope You left us with when You ascended back into Heaven!! Help us in our unbelief, help us to believe, and then help us to help others believe! Jesus came to save us. Will we say, “Yes” to God instead of, “No”? …we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. Romans 5:10 (NLT)