This Is as Close as I'd Like to Get, Thank You

In Sunday's sermon Pastor Jeff said something that got my attention.  My paraphrase is this:  for non-Christians this [world] is as close to heaven as they are ever going to get and for Christians this [world] is as close to hell as we're ever going to get. 

Does that make you stop and think?  If it doesn't then you need to stop and think about the fact that you didn't stop and think. 

This world is as close to heaven/hell as you're ever going to get

based on the decision that you have made about Jesus.  

Thank God that I know Jesus and have chosen Him as the Lord of my life.  If this world is as close to hell as I'm ever going to get, I'm just fine with that.  Most days that pass find me longing for my eternal home.  I don't want to stay here forever; this life is hard and tough and there is a gross separation between the worldly and the spiritual.  Being here leaves me in the world, away from my true home, my spiritual home, and away from my spiritual family and a perfect existence that is spent praising my Creator.  Being on planet earth leaves me with a hole, a longing for the God of all the Universe and only eternity with Him is going to fill it.  There is good news for the Christian. 

The news is bleak if you're not a Christian.  This life is as close to heaven as you'll get.  The brokenness, the hurt, the uncertainty, the pains, the mortal body - all of this is the best there is if you don't know Jesus.  Hell will be a thousand times, no, a million times, no, a bazillion times worse than this life.  And the very, very, very worst part?  Eternal separation from the love of your God - knowing that He is there and all that you had to do was invite Him in to live in your heart but you did not do it.  Living with the knowledge, that after every knee has bowed and every tongue has confessed, that the perfect Lamb died for you but you made a choice to leave Him out of your life.  That decision will haunt your forever and you won't have the chance to change it once you've landed in hell. 

The good news is that if you are reading this, there is still time to change that decision. TODAY IS THE DAY!  Ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life.  Weigh the costs.  Discipleship is not easy.  It's not always fun.  But it is always rewarding.  Ask Him now.  If you're not sure you're ready, ask Him to make you ready.  He will.  He loves His people and He meets us where we are, but only on this side of eternity.  Once we've crossed that divide there is no looking back. 

I am praying for you today that you will know Jesus as Lord.  If you already know Him, I'm praying that you (and I) will have a desire to tell the others around us that He is alive and living and that He he died so that you don't have to. 

As for me?  I'm doing my best to stay the straight and narrow path and am looking forward to eternity with my Jesus.  This as about as close as I'd like to get to hell, thank you.