Your Destiny And Your Decision

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. – Hebrews 9:27-28

Yesterday, we talked about how we all have a definite day with death. Unless Jesus comes back before you die, you will have a day where you breathe your last. Therefore, it’s important to be prepared for this day and consider some Scriptural truths surrounding death. Today, we’re going to continue talking about these truths and learn more about how to ready ourselves for our final day on earth.

The second truth we need to come to terms with is that we have a determined destiny after death. Romans 6:23 makes it clear that the reason for sin is death, but the result of death is judgment. Everyone has to face judgment after they die. If you are not a follower of Jesus, you will face the judgment of dying without Jesus. If you are a follower of Jesus, you will be judged for how you lived for Jesus. Everybody faces judgment. That is everyone’s destiny after death. But the good news is that if you understand God’s justice and His judgment, that should make you extremely happy and extremely thankful.

The third truth I want to encourage you with is that we have a deliberate decision before death. As we’ve seen, you don’t have any choice as to whether or not you are going to die, and you don’t have any choice as to whether or not you are going to stand before God. What you do have a choice in is how you are going to stand before God.

That is where Jesus comes in and Hebrews 9:28 tells us, “So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

Here is the way it works. Jesus came to die for your sin problem. When He takes care of your sin problem, He takes care of your death problem. When He takes care of your death problem, He takes care of your judgment problem. When He comes again, if you have accepted His forgiveness, you will be spared any judgment for punishment. But if you haven’t, you will be condemned in your own trial by your own unbelief.

One of these days you will take your last breath, but until you do it is never too late to escape the penalty of sin, the problem of judgment, and the fear of death.

Dear Lord, thank you that your Word offers encouragement even on a topic as heavy as death. Help me to find peace in knowing that you died for my sins so that I could spend eternity with you after I die. In Jesus’ name, amen.