The Christian life is tough work. You have to constantly choose to follow Christ. There are so many enticing distractions trying to divert us from the narrow path. Oftentimes, when we face particularly difficult trials and temptations, we ask ourselves, “What’s the point? Is this worth it?”
Right now, I want to grab you by the shoulders, look you in the eyes, and say, “HECK YES, IT’S WORTH IT! Eternity is worth the fight! Don’t you dare think of giving up!”
The fact of the matter is, and yes, I mean fact: Jesus rose from the dead, and He promises eternal life to all who follow Him as His disciples. My friends, the offer doesn’t get any better than this!
We spend so much time trying to distract ourselves and avoid the thought that each of us is going to die. The question we should be thinking about is where do we want to spend eternity? Being in complete solitary confinement…alone forever? Or partying it up with all the cool people—a.k.a. saints—beholding God face-to-face for infinity? Really, there’s no competition between these two choices.
So, what do we have to do to receive this gift of eternal life? The answer is simple and everyone can do it: repent and believe (Mk 1:15).
First off, we have to realize that things aren’t right in our lives—we are broken sinners in need of a savior. We can’t make it on our own; we must face our dependency on others (and most importantly on God). Apart from Him, we can do nothing (Jn. 15:5). Doing things “my way” is not satisfying. It’s not making me happy.
Friends, we have to realize that in a morally relativistic culture like ours, where it is believed that everyone can have their own personal truths, there’s huge danger. Why? Well, if someone doesn’t think there is absolute Truth, this leads them to think there is no such thing as sin, and if they don’t see their brokenness as a result of sin, they won’t repent. God CANNOT save someone—give them Eternal Life—if they don’t want it. Through repentance, we ask for God’s mercy and the life He so desires to grant us. Do you now see how dangerous moral relativism is? Go to confession and give your soul a bath.
Secondly, if we want to be with God forever, we have to believe in Him. Belief is not just a matter of the head; it requires our whole person being oriented to live as Christ lives—to deny our selfish desires, pick up our cross, and follow Him. Contrary to what our frail flesh may think, doing this—making a gift of ourselves—will bring us to experience the greatest happiness, joy, freedom and fulfillment imaginable.
Christ’s life, death and resurrection changed everything. I close with a few of the lyrics from U2’s song “Window in the Skies:”
The rule has been disproved, the grave is now a groove, all debts are removed—Oh, can’t you see what love has done? / What it’s doing to me? / Love left a window in the skies.