Many people get the notion from others to give this “Jesus thing” a try in order to somehow get rid of their problems and/or improve their life with peace and happiness. Unfortunately, they’re coming to God with the wrong motive. As though the King of kings and Lord of lords could be taken for a test drive like when buying a new car or going to the department store to try on a new pair of shoes.

God is not to be just some addition to your life; Jesus is the Transformer and Redeemer of sinful people—liars, fornicators, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves and drunkards—just to name a few. So the issue isn’t one of happiness, but one of RIGHTEOUSNESS! Proverbs 11:4 says, “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.”

Being or becoming a Christian is not about getting all that we can in this life now, but about being in a right standing with God Almighty. If death were to seize you at this moment, are you holy and righteous enough to enter heaven? Well, let’s go through God’s moral law, which is His standard of righteousness by which all of humanity will be judged. Have you ever told a lie or stolen anything, regardless of the value? Ever taken God’s name in vain? That’s called blasphemy and the Bible says that God will not hold him or her guiltless who takes His name in vain (Exodus 20:7). Have you ever looked at another person with lust? Jesus would declare that you committed adultery in your heart (Matthew 5:28). If you were honest in answering these questions in the quietness of your heart, you would be guilty. The Bible says, “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10).

At this point, you are at a fork in the road concerning your eternal destiny: Heaven or Hell? As a guilty sinner according to the Bible, you are headed to that awful place called Hell—forever! Jesus spoke about hell more than heaven and is not wanting ANYONE to enter its domain. But ultimately, it’s your choice …continue to live out your sinful lifestyle in rebellion toward God OR repent (forsake) of your sins and put your trust in Jesus Christ alone for the salvation of your soul. If you choose the latter, the Bible says that God will forgive every sin that you’ve ever committed and will grant you the gift of everlasting life. You will be declared holy and righteous in His sight because of Jesus’ sacrifice on that Roman cross 2000 years ago. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.”

So whatever you decide to do with Jesus will determine where you will spend eternity when you draw your last and final breath—WHICH COULD BE AT ANY MOMENT!

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