When I became a Christian about ten years ago, I realized one key thing about my life here on earth. It is everything which I have and am going through in this life is not all that I got. There is a better place than life here on earth. The most amazing thing is I am actually moving closer and closer to this better place as each day passes by. This place is the eternal dwelling with God which is called Heaven. This journey towards Heaven is also the main plot of The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. Folks, if you haven’t read this book yet, I encourage you to read it.
Although I have never been to Heaven, but I do know that our lives here on earth is nothing compared to the surpassing glory of Heaven (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Heaven is an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison to all things which we can see physically here on earth. Life here on earth is just a transient according to the Bible and is passing away (1 John 2:17). All of us are actually on a journey. We are passing through this phase of our lives which is on earth at the moment. However, we are moving towards another place where we will be spending eternity. There are namely two places where we can be spending eternity. It is either Heaven or Hell. These are the only two options. We can trust in Jesus Christ and spend eternity with Him in Heaven where life really begins or we can turn our backs on Jesus Christ, be spending eternity in Hell and separated from Him forever. God created us to be eternal beings and He also gave us the option to either follow Him or to reject Him. Both Heaven and Hell are two eternal dwellings which God has designed for all of us.
Is Hell good or bad? That’s one tricky question which we dealt with this week during my community group with Gospel Grace Church. Hell is good because if there is no Hell, there is no justice. God created all things and He called it good. Therefore, Hell itself is good because Hell is God’s eternal dwelling place for people who do not place their faith in Jesus Christ. Hell exists precisely because God has committed Himself to solving the problem of evil. Hell is not evil; it’s the name of the place where evil gets punished. Hell is not pleasant, appealing or encouraging, but Hell is morally good, because a good God must punish evil. Actually, I should be journeying to Hell but it is God’s Grace that today I am saved through Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is because of what Jesus Christ has done for all of us (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) that today once we place our faith in Him, we are changing our spiritual courses and journeying towards Heaven (1 John 5:11-12)! Amen!
Each day that passes can only mean that we are moving closer and closer to one of the two eternal dwellings (i.e., Heaven or Hell) which God has prepared for all of us. With each day, we are also moving further and further away from the investments which we have made in our lives. All of us whether we are aware or not, are on a journey to either Heaven or Hell. It is a spiritual journey and what ultimately counts for you and me is the destination of this spiritual journey. All other matters in life fade in comparison to this. Our lives only really begin when we are in Heaven. You can change your spiritual courses today simply by acknowledging that you are a sinner and you need Jesus Christ to be the Savior of your soul. Today is the day of salvation, folks (2 Corinthians 6:2)!
