We Only Live Once
ICS Daily Devotions
Luke 16:19-23 (NKJV) “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
These verses tell us how the rich man and Lazarus, who was a beggar, lived their lives on earth. Both died, but they went to different parts of the depth of the earth.
One of the greatest fears of man is the fear of death because many are uncertain about their destination after death, especially when one is on the death bed. The Bible tells us of two kinds of death: physical death and spiritual death. Our physical body is perishable, a temporary home while we are on earth. However, our spirit man is the eternal being. Although we won’t be able to decide when we will die physically, we can choose our destination—to be in heaven or in hell.
As Christians, we should have no fear of death or judgement because we know that we are hidden in Christ. God has caused Jesus to be sin for us so that we can have His righteousness. We are accepted in the Beloved because His blood has purchased our redemption. We are only to call on the name of Jesus to receive salvation. We can stand on the promise that the moment we have taken our last breath, angels will carry and escort us to the presence of God immediately, and at the judgement seat of Christ, we will be given rewards based on how we have served Him faithfully with our gifts, talents and resources, but for those who have not accepted Jesus, they will be separated and thrown into the lake of fire at the Great White Throne if their names are not be found in the Book of Life.
All of us will die once and depart either to heaven or hell. Nobody can change the destination of the departed spirit with rituals or prayers. There are only two destinations, either heaven or hell for all who are alive now to decide. Therefore, let us take every opportunity to share the Gospel with our loved ones, friends and colleagues because we only live once.
1 John 4:17-18 (NKJV) Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgement; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
Sermon Series: The Make-Up of Man
