Knowing Where You're Going

Poker hands can have plenty of twists and turns. Pocket Aces before the flop can become worthless if the flop includes a 2 and someone else holds 2-2.

In a recent post, we introduced you to a man who looked at life somewhat that way. He admitted he wasn't sure where he was going, once this life is over. Yet the Bible offers answers about this - answers that might surprise you, even if you attend church often.

But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish... Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death shall feed on them... their forms will decay in the grave.... - Psalm 49:12, 14

Unless something miraculous happens, we're all heading for the "muck pile." But the writer of this psalm didn't stop there....

But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah. - Psalm 49:15

"Selah" can mean "meditate on this." Have you thought about what happens after you die? If you're a believer in God, there's great reason to be hopeful:

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. - I Corinthians 15:22-23

Notice this carefully. Believers will be "made alive" when Jesus comes again. It doesn't say they're alive in a spiritual body in heaven now. The faithful who have died are waiting for their Lord to come back. And then....

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. - Revelation 5:10

You read it correctly - reigning on earth, not in heaven. So what should we do to receive such a reward?

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. - II Peter 1:10-11

It's a bit like being dealt pocket Aces. Don't assume you "have it made" - even though some preachers might say you do. We've been doing a good bit of study into that aspect of salvation recently. Check the article we wrote recently about it, and offer your thoughts.

(P.S. We're not finished talking about that man next to us at the table; more is coming in a future post.)