Where Will You Spend Eternity?

Three years ago, if you’d asked me where would I spend the rest of eternity, I wouldn’t have had an answer. I was a lukewarm Christian, which is another blog for another day. Using my age as an excuse to not live for Jesus was enough to possibly spend eternity apart from Jesus. The truth of the matter is, both young and old will all be accountable for how we choose to live our lives. I had to ask myself, how many people will spend eternity with Jesus Christ because I shared the gospel with them? 

Not Salvation

So let’s debunk what salvation is not before we dive into what it is. Salvation isn’t about “Lord save me, so I don’t go to hell. Salvation isn’t about wearing long dresses, going to church on Sundays, wearing suits, or carrying a Bible 24/7. Salvation can’t be bought with money or earned by good deeds. Salvation is not given for being a “good person” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

What is Salvation?

Salvation is about a love that was expressed through the death of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins to give us eternal life just because He loved us (John 3:16). Salvation illustrates the grace of God, which simply puts that there is no deeds you have to do to earn or receive salvation (Ephesians 2:5). Salvation is a gift, just like the one’s you receive on your birthday and holidays. You don’t repay your loved ones. They gave you the gifts because they love you. All you need to do to receive salvation is to confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that He was raised from the dead (Romans 10:9).

People Won’t Believe You Changed (Acts 8)

Once you’ve become a follower of Christ, you become a new person spiritually. After Paul (formerly known as Saul) had received salvation in Jesus Christ, he went to stay with a few disciples of Jesus who were afraid that Paul had come to kill them. The disciples in Damascus were scared of Paul because he was well-known for persecuting Christians. They didn’t know that he had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ which made him join them in sharing the Gospel. 

The fear of the disciples showed that people will still think you're the same person because they know you by your past. However, it's only a matter of time that they see the change that Jesus has done internally to reflect externally (actions, behaviors, mindset, words). Although, there is no physical new creation but by faith you’ve spiritually become a son or daughter of God (2 Corinthians 5:17) . Maybe in the back of your mind, you find yourself saying “I believe that I am saved through Jesus Christ, but I can’t stop partying, drinking, smoking, fornicating”. I advise you to pray for God to give you the grace to obey and ask him to change your desire for those things. And He will! 

The Commission

Don’t be selfish with your salvation! Salvation is also a commission. You don’t stop at accepting the invitation to be a child of God; it's also an opportunity to invite others to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior (Mark 16:15). After Paul received salvation, he immediately went to share the gospel (Acts 8: We must make others disciples of Jesus Christ as well, and we can start today by sharing the message of salvation because Jesus is soon to come again. 

Prayer of Salvation

If you're not saved and would like to know the Jesus I write about as your Lord and Savior, you can repeat this prayer of salvation out loud:

Lord Jesus, I believe you are Lord. I believe you died on the cross for my sins, rose from the grave, and are coming back for me. Lord, I repent for the lifestyle, words, thoughts, and habits I indulged in that don’t align with your Word. I want to be a part of your family and spend eternity with you. Jesus, come into my heart, save me and fill me with your Spirit. Amen!

Welcome to the Kingdom!