By Riley Nelson, Minister, Richmond Hill Church of Christ
How could we possibly not want to be with Jesus? His love for us is beyond measure. He gave His very life that we could be saved. He suffered humiliation, beating, and crucifixion on the cross. Why? Because we needed a Savior, it’s just that plain. He has left us His word so that we can come to the knowledge of what He desires us to do, and tell us how to do those things. He has also promised to come to retrieve us one day so that we can live in heaven throughout all eternity.
Still there are those who scoff at the idea of wanting to be with Jesus. They are convinced that this world and human knowledge is all that is important. There is a document called the “Humanist Manifesto” which tells that a belief in judgment is both harmful and distracting from present concerns. In other words we should not bother with religion, it is only superstition. Thoughts like these are not new; they were around in the days of the apostles. Peter told of a people who scoffed at the thought of judgment (2 Peter 3:1- 10). There will be a day of judgment. We must decide for ourselves where we will spend eternity.
Our decision to follow Jesus or not also has to do with our eternal destiny. Not many people like to think of the alternative of heaven, but there is such a place as you know. Hell does exist. The choice we make will be shown in the road we take while in this life. One road is easy to follow while the other takes careful attention.
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:13,14). Traveling the narrow road might be illustrated by thinking about the Panama Canal. Great ocean liners traverse the oceans of the world. When ships wish to go through the canal the captains must turn their vessels over the Canal Pilot to get safely through the locks of the canal. The canal is so locks are so narrow that sometimes only a few inches are between their destruction and their success. If we truly desire to be with Jesus we will think about heaven. Our “Pilot” has told us how to reach the shores of heaven. We must obey the gospel and then live faithfully for God. Paul gave us instruction as to what we should be thinking. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:1-4).
The question we must ask ourselves is, “Do I really want to be with Jesus?” only you can answer that question.