Have you ever given any thought to the one question you would ask if you knew that it would be answered truthfully? Many may choose to waste this opportunity on something frivolous or even attempt to be funny. But only a very shallow person would do something like that. You see, this would be the chance of a lifetime and a thoughtful person would want to take the time necessary to select the perfect question.
Well, I won’t keep you in suspense. Although most may have pondered over hundreds of lesser questions, they would eventually ask the most important of all.
“What happens to us when we die?”
Surely this would be the greatest question of all time to most. Who would not want to finally be enlightened before they leave this life rather than receive their greatest of all surprises? Actually, I can name a few.
First, a proud atheist may not choose to waste an infinitely valuable question on a topic of such little interest to them. The Bible speaks of just such a person. Psalm 14:1 says, The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
Others only hope there is a God who will weigh their good deeds against their bad and should they score a “passing grade,” allow them in. These are often so busy with their own self-absorbed activities that they have little time for seeking God and the study of His will for mankind. As a result, they have chosen to remain ignorant while hoping that somehow things will just work out. That is a gamble that they will surely regret one day very soon.
Others have somehow rationalized that they are operating on a much higher plane than most and thus have chosen a path of their own making. These usually say that they have a problem with “organized religion” and have cut their own deal of sorts with “the Man upstairs.” But they do not realize that Jesus also has a problem with organized religion and spent His entire earthly ministry attempting to convey that message to mankind. Pompous and prideful religion leaves no place for the selfless humility required to be Christlike.
An appropriate scripture for these is Proverbs 14:12; There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
There are also those that are somewhat faithful to bless God with their church attendance, pay the tithe, and volunteer for various ministry projects within their local church. They seem happy on the outside, but inside there is no real joy. What happens to these and the others mentioned when they die? There are only two possibilities for each. Eternal life in a place so blissful that it is beyond description, or eternal death in a place so horrid that it beyond out capability to imagine.
At this point I could write a voluminous discourse describing both. But since I have never been to either place, what I write would be meaningless. However, what I can do is point you to the One who can offer the ultimate answer to the “greatest question.” His name is Jesus and He gave His answer to a man named Nicodemus in John chapter three verse three. There He told this man, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Then He went on in an attempt to explain what this meant.
The gospel (the good news of salvation) is a “pearl of great price.” (Matthew 13:45-46) In this short article, you have been told where you can find it. Some will pay the price for the pearl by digging into the scriptures until they understand and receive salvation. But sadly, most will not and thus choose to perish. It has always been this way; some will, some won’t! Those that know the way share it and move on to others leaving them to make their own choice. I have made mine. What will be yours?
“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” (Jesus speaking in John 5:39-40)