The Narrow Way

Have you ever thought about what happens when you die? Do you think you’d go to heaven?

A few weeks ago my husband and I had the privilege of joining some friends at our county fair for an outreach. The outreach is run out of a little trailer called “The GodMobile.” The mission? Helping people come to know Jesus and be assured that they will be in heaven when they die. Yes, assured–certain–confident–we’ll get there in a minute 😉Anyway, you’d think this wouldn’t be the environment for talking about matters of faith, but surprisingly, year after year, people come to the trailer either reluctantly, mockingly, or out of genuine curiosity–and year after year people leave the trailer with new life, hope, and confidence of salvation. 🙌

Of course, not everyone receives Jesus when they come visit. About 2/3 of the time, good conversations are had, but an individual is reluctant to make a decision for eternal salvation. I understand the hesitancy, it’s a big decision, my only caution to such people is this: if you put this off, and die today, you don’t know what will happen to you. 😕 I don’t say that to be threating, but realistic–because none of us is guaranteed a tomorrow. So if you’re reading this and are uncertain of (as in not 100% confident you’d be in heaven if you died today) your eternal destination, keep reading, but please consider NOT putting off a decision. “Today is the day of salvation,” 2 Cor 6:2….

Anyway, I thought to share about the GodMobile after a recent conversation with a friend. She said “if the good Lord takes me, all I can do is hope to be worthy of His forgiveness.”

My heart skipped a beat for a second. “If”? ……”IF means you’re not certain,” I thought. 😰 Perhaps she doesn’t know she can be? 🤷‍♀️

I then remembered how often we share through the GodMobile that you can know that you have eternal life. That’s really what draws people in, “take a test to see if you’re going to heaven or not.” They (often mockingly) come to take the test and see what we have to say. The test is simple, it goes through a series of questions related to good works–reasons many think they should get into heaven–but it leaves out the only real reason we can get in: faith in Jesus Christ. So after someone takes the test, we share not only how to get to heaven, but that scripture is clear–God promises us that we can KNOW that we will be with Him in heaven when we die. What a beautiful thing, to be able have confidence in death! 🙌

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13

So I shared these things with my friend. I can’t imagine the anxiety she had been feeling living in these uncertain times and not having confidence that she is saved by faith. I’m hopeful she’s got that squared away now, not that she won’t ever have fear or anxiety again, but at least at the end of the day she can reason through and see–even if the worst happens–if I die–it’s really not so bad after all because I’ll be in heaven! Glory to God for giving us such hope, confidence, and peace! 😭🙌

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world–our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:1-5

We overcome the things of the world–fear, anxiety, and death itself–by faith in God’s only Son.

We receive salvation through Jesus by making a choice. Through Gods grace, we come to understand that Jesus Christ is who He said He is, that He fulfilled the scriptures, died on the cross for our sins, was buried for 3 days, and rose from the grave (1 Cor 15:1-4). With this in mind, we choose to believe that Jesus extends His mercy and forgiveness to ALL who believe, regardless of who they are or what they’ve done. It really is that simple. There’s no requirement of working your way to God, establishing some good pattern of behaviors, doing good deeds, or being of some certain denomination or man-made rituals. The truth is, we can never be good enough on our own, or by our works to be worthy of God. Scripture says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Rom 3:23. We don’t earn our way to heaven, not a single one of us. This can be really hard for folks to wrap their head around, but it’s true. 🙌 We are promised eternal life by doing one thing: we believe. ❤️

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Eph 2:8-9

“What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus replied, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.” John 6:28-29

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6:23

The last thing I want to share, in my hope to help some of you out there who are struggling or uncertain is this:

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” Heb 2:14-15

The bold parts, read them again…

When we receive eternal life through faith, we receive much more than “eternity insurance,” we receive freedom from the fear of death! We can actually be confident of what happens when we die, and where we will go. There are so many more benefits and gifts found in salvation through the promises of God, but this—this my friends is a blanket of peace, hope, and reassurance in troubled times. God who saves us, will keep us and bring us to the place He has prepared for us.

No matter what happens in this life, the trials, tribulations, disappointments, heartaches, struggles, even torment–none of it lasts forever. We can look forward with hope and expectancy regardless of what life brings when we know we will be in heaven for eternity. Once you’ve settled the issue of eternity, you can face life’s battles with a little more confidence, because even if you “lose” (like, say you die), you know you’ve actually not lost–you’ve won! You’re on your way to glory!! 🙌

I realize this may be long, or redundant for my churched audience, but I felt compelled to share this after talking with my friend because I realized that actually–for many–this isn’t redundant. This is new. When I think about the people we encounter through the GodMobile, this is one of the biggest questions and issues people have. So while you may think that those around you know how to get to heaven, or are confident they’ll be there, you might be surprised. Many people are struggling with fear of death, torment, anxiety, and future right now…consider having a conversation like this with those around you, or share this if you don’t have the words, because these simple words to a heart that’s been primed by God is all that some folks need to find peace and assurance. 🥲☺️

I pray for everyone who reads this, that you might know….that before leaving this earth, you would have confident assurance of your eternal destination.

As always, thanks for stopping by.

PS—if you are one who read this and was unsure, but you do believe the above—take a second to connect with God. Say “I believe in you Jesus,” and ask Him to forgive you of your sins. Our words have great power.

“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:10