Is It Goodbye – Or Until Later?
Is It Goodbye – Or Until Later?
By Dennis Huebshman
Heard of a story some time back, where a man was near death, and called his three sons to his bedside. To the oldest, the man said, “I have loved you from the moment you took your first breath, and it has only grown stronger over the years. I will see you later, Son.” (note all emphasis/paraphrasing is mine)
To the middle son he said, “You weren’t the first-born, but you’ve been just as much in my heart as if you were my only child. I love you with every breath I take, and I will see you later.”
To the youngest son, “My son, you came into this world as a blessing that I cannot put a value on. I have always loved you with all my might, and now I must say Good-bye.”
The youngest son asked, “Dad, why did you tell my brothers you would see them later, and to me you just said Good-bye?” The father had tears in his eyes and told his son, “Your brothers have accepted Jesus as their Savior, as have your mother and I. Our parting is only temporary. You have decided Jesus is not for you, and we haven’t pressured you about this. We believe this is a choice you have to make for yourself. As it stands right now, if you continue to reject Jesus, you will not be joining us when you leave this earth, and because of this, we will never see you again.”
This story, whether verbal or mental, plays out somewhere just about every day. Having worked in the medical field in the past, I have witnessed families gathering around the bedside of someone who was about to leave this earth. Even if no words were spoken, it was obvious as to the difference between families that knew and had accepted Jesus, and those who had not. There was sadness and grieving in both cases, but the saved people still showed there was hope. The non-believers had one trait in common – a high level of despair. To them, this was absolutely final. I should mention that this was before I finally called out to Jesus to be my Savior, yet I could still detect a distinct difference.
Everything the non-believers based their total existence on was earth-bound. Christians are sad at a loved one’s passing, but as for the one who is passing or has just passed, there is an inner peace and feeling of joy for that person, because they will be in the presence of our Savior. Our treasure is in Heaven, not on this earth, and we know the separation is only temporary.
Philippians 1:20-23, “My confident hope is that I will in no way be ashamed, but that with complete boldness, even now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether I live or die. (21) For me, living is Christ, and dying is gain. (22) Now if I am to go on living in the body, this will mean productive work for me. Yet I don’t know which I prefer. (23) I feel torn between the two, because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.”
Statistics these days do not favor the Christians – True Believers. More and more, we see our youth turning away and leaving Jesus behind because they are so filled with this world, and anything about the Father or Jesus does not fit into their lifestyle. Satan knows what buttons to push to turn someone to him who does not have a good relationship with Our Lord, and is always at the ready to provide any and all temptations filled with lies for enticement.
The media today has turned totally secular, and when Christianity is mentioned it is in a negative light. Images on TV and on Computers leave nothing to the imagination, and alternate lifestyles are being proclaimed as the new normal. Strong messages about the love of Jesus and our Heavenly Father are almost non-existent, and in the few Churches where the real truth is still given, the membership is declining. When statistics say that only about 10% of the world population – including the U.S. – is truly Christian, it is very believable.
Can you just see Jesus if He were to go into one of the “tickle my ears, but don’t talk about sin or hell” type services? I can just imagine Him watching the musical production with stirring, but non-inspirational songs; the magical light shows; and a message that says there’s numerous ways to be saved, and all religions worship the same gods. Also, God wasn’t serious about what He called an abomination, and whatever lifestyle one wants is fine by Him. Just make sure you thank Him, and He will give you whatever you ask for.
Now, I imagine Scene 2 – remember when Jesus drove out All who were selling and buying in the Temple Courts and turned over the tables of the money changers and of those selling Doves? (Matthew 21:12) He made a whip of cords, and drove them out of the Temple Courts with the sheep and oxen and He scattered the coins of the money changers when He overturned their tables. (John 2:15) Now, consider what He might do in one of the services that is as far removed from the Bible as Heaven is from Hell.
One thing to remember is Jesus is God (John 10:30), and as with the Father, he is everywhere at once. Nothing that takes place escapes His attention, and nothing that takes place surprises Him. Jesus told about the two gates in Matthew 7:13-14, and even the first century, said there would be few to enter the straight and narrow gate. He will go out of His way for those on the narrow path, to provide whatever is needed to get them through that gate.
After all He became fully man to die on a cross for those of us who do not deserve the free gift of Salvation that He dearly paid for. Yet, He did so willingly (John 10:18). All He asks is for us to believe in Him, accept His sacrifice, and ask Him to forgive us and to be our Savior. He will prepare a place for us to be with Him forever. (John 14:2-3)
A couple of points; Jesus is the only way to heaven, no matter what any false prophet may tell you. (John 14:6) Also, if you accept God, but not Jesus, you get neither. If you accept God and Jesus, you have them both. (John 3:18 and 1 John 5:12) There are other verses that tells this, but these two are very direct and to the point.
Romans 10:9, “because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Note, there are no man-made rituals that you must complete for your Salvation. No sacrifice you can make; nothing you can do to earn it; and there’s not enough money or valuables on this earth to buy it. Believe; Call Out; Confess; Accept – that’s it! To try to do anything besides what Jesus has asked for is to say His sacrifice was inadequate. Quite frankly, I would not want to face the Father after insulting His Son.
All who call on Jesus will be saved. God loves us so much He tried to make it simple for us even though a part of Himself had to suffer and die. This punishment should have been ours – yours and mine. When we receive Jesus into our hearts, God only sees His Son when He looks at us, and will forgive our sins when we ask for it. (1 John 1:8-10)
Right now, where ever you are, take a few moments to change your eternal destination forever. Just know and have Faith that Jesus’ blood has covered all your sin, and the only regret you will have will be if you do not accept His pardon for you that is totally paid for. If you reject Him, you will be separated from Him forever in the Lake of Fire, and the choice will have been totally yours. To take your last breath on this earth is a refusal, and at that point it can’t be changed. He is waiting for your call! He won’t say, “No”. Call now.
Maranatha!