by David Gibson<\/p>\n
So often in the Bible, we see a stark contrast between two and only two mutually-exclusive alternatives: the wise and foolish builders, the broad and narrow ways, the kingdom of Satan and the kingdom of Christ, etc.<\/p>\n
Note this contrast:<\/p>\n
“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins<\/em>” (John 8:24 NASB).<\/p>\n
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus<\/em>” (I Thessalonians 4:14).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
What a difference!<\/p>\n
What is the deciding factor that determines which way we die? Our relationship to Jesus. Without Him, we have no forgiveness, and we will die in our sins. But if we have put on Christ, then that’s how we’ll die: in Him<\/strong>! If we live and die in Christ, our sin problem has been effectively removed by His blood (Romans 5:9; 1 John 1:7, 9; Revelation 1:5). Sin no longer stands as a barrier between our holy God and us.<\/p>\n
Lessons for us today:<\/h2>\n
\n
- The only way to be ready for death is to be in Christ.<\/li>\n
- The only way to be in Christ is through faith in Him and obedience to the gospel (II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Hebrews 5:8-9). There is no other way.<\/li>\n
- If we have put on Christ in baptism (Galatians 3:27; see Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:3-5; Titus 3:5; I Peter 3:21), then let’s give top priority to:\n
\n
- Maintaining our connection with Christ, never losing our grip on Him, our only hope (John 15:6; II Peter 1:3-11; 2:20-22).<\/li>\n
- Helping others find their hope in Him (I Corinthians 9:19-22).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Then both we and they can fall asleep in Jesus.<\/p>\n
And isn’t that wonderful!<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by David Gibson So often in the Bible, we see a stark contrast between two and only two mutually-exclusive alternatives: the wise and foolish builders, the broad and narrow ways, the kingdom of Satan and the kingdom of Christ, etc. Note this contrast: “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins;…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[109,698],"class_list":["post-94128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-death","tag-life-after-death"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":48927,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/didnt-jesus-die-for-our-sins\/","url_meta":{"origin":94128,"position":0},"title":"Didn’t Jesus die for our sins?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 23, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: This is hard to wrap my mind around for some reason, but didn't Jesus \"die for our sins?\" I thought that Jesus dying on the cross meant that all our sins were forgiven if we believe in him. Answer: It isn't a hard concept, but I can see the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":13329,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/does-true-faith-mean-the-command-to-be-baptized-does-not-save-a-person\/","url_meta":{"origin":94128,"position":1},"title":"Does true faith mean the command to be baptized does not save a person?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 1, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I guess I would not mind seeing the other side of my argument.\u00a0 It is simply this: true faith saves you.\u00a0 I could go in-depth of what I mean if you would like me to, but I guess I just want to hit on the issue.\u00a0 I believe that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":42580,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-happens-if-i-die-before-i-am-baptized\/","url_meta":{"origin":94128,"position":2},"title":"What happens if I die before I am baptized?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 17, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I recently turned my life to God. I'm on your website all the time learning what things to do and not do. I'm also reading the Bible. I don't know everything in the Bible, so I'm currently educating myself. I've come to be a bit confused since I have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":17990,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/am-i-doomed-to-hell-is-it-a-sin-to-be-gay\/","url_meta":{"origin":94128,"position":3},"title":"Am I doomed to hell? Is it a sin to be gay?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 25, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I am 20 years old. I am have been a sinner most of my life. I want to change my evil ways. Sometimes I feel my soul is doomed to hell to burn with Satan. I pray sometimes, but I still feel lost. I have one? I am bisexual.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1013,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/do-you-believe-that-baptism-could-be-linked-to-grace\/","url_meta":{"origin":94128,"position":4},"title":"Do you believe that baptism could be linked to grace?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 5, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Do you believe that baptism could be linked to grace? Answer: In the Bible, grace is the concept of a freely given gift; a gift that the recipient has not earned nor has necessarily deserved to receive. 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