We all think about what happens to us when we die: do we turn into dust, do we live on in another way, do we get a new body, do we go to live with our Creator God? The Bible poses the question: “What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and yet to lose his own soul?” Matthew 16:26 This is the most important issue of life: what happens to us after we die and how do I live with God forever?
As Christians, we know: “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God!” Job 19:25-26
I became a Christian when I was 12 years old attending a Billy Graham crusade with my sister and brother. We all three became believers in the Lord Jesus Christ that night and came home to our parents with tears in our eyes and joy in our hearts! The longer I live and grow closer to my Creator God, the more I realize the absolute miracle of my salvation that night!
So I would like to share a vision of what the Wonder of Salvation looks like:
Picture yourself kneeling on the ground, realizing that you are not sure what is going to happen to you after you die, that you have tried all the things that you thought would make you happy and they turn up empty. You cry out “Oh God be merciful to me a sinner! Jesus, I believe in You and want you to be Lord of my life!” Suddenly there is an unseen bright cloud of Glory that descends and enters into you. The Glory forms in you a human spirit that makes you into a new creature in Christ. The sin in you flees, being pushed out and forgiven by the God Who now lives in you. You are born again as a son or daughter into God’s family. Your eyes are opened for the first time to see your Creator and to even understand the hidden revelations in the Bible. You can talk to God and begin to hear His still small voice speaking to your heart. You have a feeling that you are different and there is a joy and peace knowing you belong to God.
Your new spirit is united with other believers into one body…the body of Christ. Your body becomes a temple of the Holy Spirit and in you, Christ dwells as the Hope of Glory. You feel a kindred spirit with your fellow sisters and brothers in Christ. You even more so are united to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit….you are One with God! Now everything is different: the blood of Jesus flows into your heart giving you a new everlasting life with Him. The Holy Spirit regenerates your life and you receive the righteousness of Jesus stamped into your being forever!
Your character is changed and will continue to be transformed from that day forward as the Holy Spirit teaches you and takes you from Glory to Glory! As you are filled with the Glory of the Spirit, you manifest what you have longed to have and be: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.
You are given new gifts which enable you to be used on the kingdom team, the body of Christ to help share the Hope of Jesus and disciple other believers…. Gifts such as apostleship, pastor, teacher, healer, prophet, wisdom, tongues, helps, service.
As a son or daughter of the King, you are an heir of everything in His Kingdom. His Kingdom includes everything that is now and will be created in the future. You are a priest and you can go to your High Priest Jesus anytime to lay your needs before Him. Jesus is constantly making intercession for you and loves you with an infinite love that is much higher than the heavens are above the earth. In fact, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are especially fond of you! You are unique…unlike anyone who ever has been or will be created!
Even the angels can see the light of God’s love shining through you that unbelievers don’t have!
Finally, you are secure, being sealed with the Holy Spirit with an unbreakable envelope of protection! God has given you His righteousness and eternal life and you shall never perish! No one can ever pluck a child of God from His Mighty Hand!
Truly our salvation is the most important and wondrous event of our lives!
Let us all pray: “Lord help us to carry the wonder of our so great salvation daily into our lives and to draw all people into your kingdom by the power of the Holy Spirit!”
PS: A week before my dad died, I asked him who he looked forward to seeing in heaven. I thought he would say: Jesus, his dad, mom, brother or sister. He sagaciously said “Me!”