THE PATH TO EVERLASTING!

Sunday’s Monday

I feel that God has challenged me to explore a subject that I have given too little thought to over my lifetime. How many people in the world today can actually say that they are aware of living an everlasting life? Sadly, far too many have yet to realize that we are walking the path of everlasting at this very moment. From the moment we’re born into this world we’re destined to exit (die) and move on into eternity. Matthew hit on this in Matthew 25:45-46 (ESV), 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Hence my title, The Path To Everlasting! Our eternity started with our first breath and contrary to popular belief, there is no end!

The world population has been divided and dissected since the fall of Adam and Eve. Choices entered into the human equation as a man had to decide to live a life of good or evil, in love or hate, with greed or generosity, in pride or humility, etc. I am sure that man learned to incorporate a mixture of all the previous and over the centuries has improved upon them. This explains why the world we know is in the shape it’s in! I know from my own experiences as a young man, that if I didn’t understand something, it was my duty to automatically fill in any gaps with my own interpretations, and all blanks were left to the discretion of my assumptions. Which in reality only managed to complicate and exaggerate every task that came before me. Not good! So, not good! Sadly, I was ill-prepared and spiritually lost I didn’t have a viable active relationship with Jesus, my relationship was with the church. That being said, I did what I thought the church expected without a clue as to what Jesus wanted me to do. After many years of the ditch to ditch living Jesus gave me the revelation of Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV), 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

It was then that my brain filled with the thought and immediately conversed with my heart that it had things figured all wrong. I am living eternal life today! Right now! At this very moment! Heaven and hell are not merely places to dream or fear in our future of leaving this planet. God in all His wisdom has given us the opportunity to sample some of the experiences of each right now, (this day). In 1952 there was a TV game show titled This Is Your Life, In the program, the host surprised guests and then took them through a retrospective of their lives in front of an audience. This may sound corny, but it is a real benchmark as to where your eternity is headed. With you as the contestant and Jesus as the audience, examine your lifestyle to see if it meets your approval. The show produced special guests that were closely involved with the contestant (family, friends, associates) and they were asked about the contestant’s lifestyle (habits, actions, attitude). Get the idea? I think Paul described this best in Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV), 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Do not perceive this to be a chore or a challenge rather the beginning of a loving relationship.

As I stated earlier death is not the final chapter of one’s life, it is merely a continuation of the relationship we have with God or Satan. I look back today and cringe at the comment I used to make braggingly to my peers, “I have already bought and paid for my ticket to hell!” I had no idea at that time how correct and powerful that statement truly was and is, as I condemned myself to eternity without God. I say that because, in all honesty, I’ve experienced all the hell I care to endure, during the first half of my years as a long-term alcoholic who eventually lost everything. But God graciously touched me and showed me the ticket was transferable and I did not have to go to hell! I caught heaven fever through a loving relationship with Jesus and don’t ever want to return to who or what I was. Please know, that if you’re not happy with your destination, your ticket is transferable as well. As found in Romans 3:23-24 (ESV), 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

My prayer this week is from Psalm 51:1-2 (ESV), 51 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! Lord Please! Have this scripture resonate in our minds until we gain your understanding of a proper personal relationship with you. Amen.

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!

For the email version, send a request to…pal249@hotmail.com…04/03/2022