Ever thought about this? It is true. People DO last forever [Pastor Morris said this, though I wish I had said it.] Whether your destination – which WE determine – is heaven or hell, we will last forever. There IS a heaven and there IS a hell. We just need to help others realize that it is serious and it is their decision. But that the answer is obvious and available FOR ALL.
“Jesus answered him, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh [the physical is merely physical], and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be surprised that I have told you, ‘You must be born again [reborn from above – spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].” [John 3:3-7. AMP]
The New Living Translation says: “Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.” Coupling various translations of this final thought in John 3:7 does expand our understand without doubt concerning what’s being said. I think that we start with: first, recognize Who is making these statements – it is Jesus, not an ‘interpretation’ – straight from the source. Jesus also states this in unequivocal terms – MUST.
Why do people doubt? What is it they are ‘afraid’ of? Not too certain ‘logic’ has anything to do with it. And quite honestly, that’s not the point. We are given access to a full and fruitful life, not void of temptations or seductions by our enemy but ways to defeat him when he applies his wiles. We are given eternal life with the Creator of the Universe. We are invited into relationship and fellowship. And as we read His Word, we see the other ‘things’ that are ours.
Tale a quick look at all that Jesus gifts us with when we come confessing our sins to Him and ask Him to cleanse, forgive, and accept us. That’s what the new birth, rebirth is all about. To reestablish relationship by choosing to be chosen. And what do we receive? Righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:17-21), which gives us the right of Relationship ( He’ll never leave us – Hebrews 13:5), Peace (John 1:27), Hope (Romans 15:13), Faith (Hebrews 11:1), Forgiveness (1 John 1:0), another Helper (John 14:15), Eternal Life (John 10:19(…. and that only begins the litany of what gifts Jesus brings when we accept the free gift and make Him our Lord.
Quite honestly, if Jesus brings us Eternal Life and People live forever… doesn’t it make more sense to live that eternal life with the Triune God? (that was a rhetorical question)
