The image above illustrates Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, defeating death with his resurrection into everlasting life. By His example and sacrifice we are offered the gift of immortality..... and acceptance into Heaven.  This gift is only offered by mercy, grace and forgiveness of sin. Best of all  it's free, the catch is all we have to do is believe in Him with all of our heart. Sounds like a reasonable offer for eternal peace and immortality right? 

Think about this for a minute, if we are on the fence or off the fence for that matter, there's only one in history who claimed to be the Son of God,  fulfilled over three hundred prophecies in the Scriptures (this reduces the fraud factor by just a bit), split time (B.C. - A.D.) and gives a documented testimony of life after death. Nobody else even comes close. We may be thinking what's that got to do with anything? Check this out:

When we consider the question of whether or not life ends forever at our physical death, we are confronted with the mystery of why virtually all humans who mourn the death of their loved ones feel a strong emotional loss and a profound yearning to be reunited in an afterlife with their deceased loved ones. For those that suggest there is no life beyond the present one, consider the millions who weep at the graveside, sincerely believing that their loved ones exist in some other place. Interestingly, 71 percent of those surveyed declared they believed in Heaven while only 21 percent believed in Hell (Satan has a great spin doctor); the balance was unsure. Intriguingly, 67 percent of Americans surveyed expressed a strong belief in life after death. Obviously, as long as people die, humans will be confronted with the profound question: Can evidence support the notion that the human soul survives death? While the question has been asked for thousands of years (not millions), it remains among the most important questions we can face as humans. Our death is not something common simply because it happens to every human. Our own death will be a unique experience because it will be totally unprecedented by each of us.

Some may suggest that any philosophical question such as immortality that cannot be scientifically proven to everyone's complete and immediate satisfaction should be completely ignored as unworthy of serious consideration. However, this approach rejects Western legal tradition of evaluating controversial evidence in a court of law before twelve neutral citizens. Our courts routinely consider and pass serious judgments, including death sentences, in cases in which the conclusion of the jury or judge must inevitably depend upon both logical deduction and circumstantial evidence. 

The agnostic philosophy that refuses to consider even the possibility of a future spiritual life after death such as Heaven or Hell is often expressed by the thought that one world at a time is enough. The subject of atheism is virtually ignored in the Scriptures. There are no passages in the Bible that discuss whether or not God exists. In fact, the Scriptures do not take the trouble to debate the assertions of atheists who reject the existence of God and our eternal soul. The only passage in the Holy Scriptures that addresses the question of atheism at all is found in one of the Psalms written by King David: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." (Psalms 14:1) The Bible dismisses the pretense of atheism as an obviously invalid belief.(1)

Saul was a Jew of the highest regard who shortly after the life of Jesus pursued Christians in an effort to exterminate them (in other words, he was either a murderer or an accessory to murder). While traveling on the road to Damascus he was confronted by the risen Lord and asked point blank why did he pursue Him? Saul was blinded by the light of the Lord and was commanded to continue his journey and meet with Aninias a community leader and Christian activist. Upon meeting Aninias scales fell from Saul's blinded eyes and his vision was instantly restored. At that moment in time he then became known as the Apostle Paul and experienced a tremendous change in his life after he believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. As one of the more prolific New Testament authors (he contributed to about two thirds of the books) he wrote the following inspired words which in many ways can describe any of us at any time:

Even though I was once a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and violent man: I was shown mercy, because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with faith and love that are in Jesus Christ.
-I Timothy 1:13-14 NIV

Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I'm proof - Public Sinner Number One - of someone who could have never made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off - evidence of his endless patience - to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever.
- I Timothy 1:15-16 NIV

I remember using the words above in conversation with a dear friend of mine just a few weeks before he passed away from the affects of lung cancer. The first time I approached him about Jesus Christ he told me he had been hurt by religion (who hasn't?),  he said he was a good man (who isn't on self-examination?) who believed in the "Church of Good Works" and the" Great Googamoo." He wasn't buying what I had to say as a friend, even though he noticed a change in my life and I was different. We stayed in touch and I promised not to bug him about Jesus again, I realized it was his choice, I was not going to shove it down his throat, it didn't work with me and I respected his choice. A few months later he was becoming weaker from the affects of chemotherapy and was about to go into the hospital for the last time. We visited on a regular basis. He lived in Clearwater, Florida and I lived in Winter Park, Florida. The round trip measured about three hundred miles to and from the hospital in a single night. We saw each other several times a week over the course of six months. I had a strong belief my friend needed to revisit God's offer before he left this place and before it was too late.  

It dawned on me when two believers gather together in prayer the Lord says he is among us, so  I decided to invite a fellow believer to visit my dying friend. During the initial visit we asked if we could pray for him and he agreed. During the prayer, the spirit in the room changed from doubt and despair to immediate, abundant, wonderful, peace and joy. My friend accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior that day and soon after he left this Earth to take his place in the Kingdom of Heaven. On his deathbed he said he regretted it took him so long to "get it" and he wanted to do something to help others in return. He did do something! He took action! We sent emails that were broadcast to over a thousand people. Some were touched and saved while others rededicated themselves to serve. 

Jesus Christ the risen Son of God and our Savior is not concerned with the petty details of man's religion. This means he does not give us any more than we can handle with him. Forget about how many neat things we did, how good we think we are or conversely how bad we think we are or how naughty we have been. Because in the broader scheme of things we can be forgiven and offered a fresh start. Jesus Christ made himself available to save us from the payment of sin (sorry Satan) if we simply ask. It's a gift, that's it and it's free!  The only catch is we must be sincere! We do not have to click our heals three times or turn around and sit when Simon says. Forget about legalist who try to make our salvation a whole lot more complicated than it really is. We are not predestined to go to Hell for being a sinner. We will go to Hell for being an arrogant, unrepentant sinner. When the inside is clean, the outside will take care if itself. Pick up the Bible and feed your spirit!

I'm so fortunate to be blessed with a solid spiritual foundation, a loving set of parents and devoted wife. Believe me, I marched to the beat of my own drum for a long time and not to be different from the rest of the world made my share of bad decisions and mistakes. When reflecting on my life, as imperfect as it has been, I would not trade a moment not even a second in time. Because if that's what it took for me to appreciate and receive the greatest gift then it was all worth it. Many obstacles are overcome and many are to be settled, change to one's life is not an easy process, it's not for sissies and can not be accomplished alone. 

The reality of joy is not found in great wealth, at the bottom of a bottle, pipe, bag, razor's edge, lust or filthy language. Joy is sober, it's a freedom from main stream desires, temptations and the courage to lead rather than not, to serve rather than not, to give rather than not, to love rather than not and to forgive rather than not. It's the belief that in order to be on the winning team one cannot play both sides, at some point a choice has to be made. 

Sure, these decisions are tough and in many situations hard to make because of one excuse after another presented and reasoned upon. I read the end of the Bible, I know who wins; do you?  The One to fear is the One who can send our soul to eternal torment or conversely save us. This is serious business when considering eternity and our final port.

Our God is a loving God and he gave us His Son Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrifice for the sin of the world which separated us from God when Satan deceived Adam and Eve (be careful, Satan's real good at what he does. He grew jealous of man's relationship with God and not only deceives mankind in his anger to get even with God but deceived one third of the Angelic Host) and he knows the clock is ticking away with fewer ticks today than yesterday until the Apocalypse. 

We cannot be delivered into Heaven without first choosing the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. God cannot accept or allow sin in his presence. This is the reason why Jesus Christ is so important to us. His perfect (sinless) sacrifice covers our sin and by His mercy we are acceptable to God. For this reason our God is a just God. He has and will judge mankind based on our individual choice. Make no mistake about it, it is written and if you believe the Bible, by all means believe the entire Bible, not selective chapters and verses. Do not try to interpret words for more than the intended meaning.  When the Bible says the Earth and Heavens were created in six days, it means six dusk to dawn periods. No word, no sentence, no paragraph, no chapter and no book has ever been proven to be as true as the Bible. 

Take some precious time to study and search for the truth. This will be the best investment we can make as no one is promised their next heartbeat.  If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, then it's a privilege to present the opportunity and choice. 

God Loves You:
For God so loved the world that he gave is only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
- John 3:16 KJV

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
-Romans 5:8 KJV

All Are Sinners:
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
- Romans 3:23 KJV
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
- Romans 3:10 KJV

God's Remedy for Sin:
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Romans 6:23 KJV
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
-John 1:12 KJV
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
- I Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV

All May Be Saved Now:
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
- Revelation 3:20-23 KJV
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
- Romans -10:13 KJV

My Decision to Receive Christ As My Savior:
Confessing to God that I am a sinner, and believing that the Lord Jesus Christ died for my sins on the cross and was raised for my justification, I do now receive and confess Him as my personal Savior.

Assurance As a Believer:
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
-Romans 10:9 KJV
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
-John 5:24 KJV
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
- I John 5:13 KJV
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
-John 20:31 KJV

Who ever read these words is now informed and has no excuse when it will be required to account for the single most important decision in the path of  eternal destiny. Don't believe for an instant this world is only about what is seen without giving consideration to the unseen. Evil is present and at work on this earth to destroy and torment as many souls as possible. Thank God for the mercy and grace of his Son for with even with the likes of Paul could there be a way to be forgiven of our sins. Do you still think you are a "good person" and that you do not need a savior? Salvation cannot be earned or bought. It is a gift and we are free to choose. Do not be ashamed or afraid of the past or that you are unworthy of the gift. Like the person I speak of above who had so many good fruits of the spirit, he was lost and essentially doomed with out Jesus Christ. The Bible speaks of the end times and is specific toward the region of the earth that will shape the events of the world. FYI, the location is Jerusalem.  It isn't a coincidence the world is focused on events in that region of the world and if these things do not cause you to question what is true verses what is deception then God help you! My words do not credit nor condemn any religion rather emphasize everyone's right to have a personal relationship with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who will come again to cast Satan, his demons and those who reject him into the pits of hell to be tormented for eternity. God is good, God is compassion and God is love. God has shown his mercy and ability to punish without hesitation when it is called for. Be afraid of Him who is the master and creator of the universe and all things of it, for he cannot be denied or challenged. 

Keep the faith,

Tom Moch

(1) Grant Jeffery, Journey Into Eternity
(August 2000, Frontier Research Publications, Inc.)