Where will you spend eternity? By Tom Shanklin

It's interesting how much thought, energy and effort, we all put into the things of this present life, when these things are of very little lasting value.

Particularly in America, we seem to be totally enamored with the material world. I'm not only talking about the pursuit of things (houses, cars and other material goods), but simply a preoccupation with all things visible, the physical world.

The word of God has a way of putting all things into perspective, when it says, "For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." James 4:14, KJV.

A vapor is something which rises up from the tea kettle when the water is boiling and then simply dissipates into the the air-here one moment, gone the next. In the perspective of eternity, this is what our lives are like.

We may live 60, 70, 80 years. . . or we may do better, like Edna Parker of Indiana, the world's oldest living human, who turned 115 last year (2008). But sooner or later, all of us will pass into eternity.

The old hymn, Amazing Grace, talks about the future of believers in Christ in heaven, saying, "When we've been there 10,000 years, bring shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we've first begun."

Eternity is forever and ever and ever and ever. It has no end. Therefore, the question, "Where will we spend eternity?" becomes of great importance. In fact, all the efforts of life pale in comparison to the importance of this vital question. As Jesus said, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26, KJV.

A belief in life after death has been found in religions and cultures throughout the world. The scriptures tell us that God has "put eternity in their hearts." (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Many of these beliefs have been a mixture of the true and the false, but when Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth, he gave us a clear understanding of how we can receive eternal life and make heaven our home when we leave our earthly bodies.

Without Christ, we are all hopelessly lost and bound in a sinful nature. Our destiny is hell, and not heaven. But Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6, KJV.

Church membership, being good enough, or religious rituals are not sufficient to secure our destiny in heaven. However, through His death on the cross a way has been made for us to be completely forgiven and accepted by God. He died for our sins and He rose from the grave to demonstrate the power of eternal life.

Our part is to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord of our lives by faith. Pray this prayer out loud from your heart today and believe on the Son of God:

"Dear Father, I know I don't deserve heaven. I have sinned and come short of your glory, but I believe you have made a way through your Son, Jesus Christ. I believe He died for my sins and rose again, and I receive Him into my life as Lord and Savior. Amen."

Tom Shanklin ministers the Gospel in the US and around the world, helping people to find victory in their lives through Jesus Christ. You can reach him at Tom Shanklin Ministries, PO Box 4144, Mankato, MN 56002 or by e-mail at tom@gopreach.net