Very
good article, jfh
by cindybythesea
It's been refreshing to see the number of
faith based movies that have been making their way in to the theatres lately and
none could be more heart warming and hopeful than the latest "Heaven is
for Real". I saw it a couple of weeks ago and like most who have
seen the movie was completely taken by the portrayal of the young boy who had
the experience and his description of what heaven is like. But, as much as I
enjoyed the movie, I would be remiss not to say that in my opinion, it missed
the mark and missed it badly.
It's been amazing to see the popularity of
this movie (and book) and why not - everyone wants to know - is heaven for
real? But that question was answered a long time ago by someone who could
answer it with certainty and that someone is Jesus.
Yes, heaven is for real - and, so is hell.
Uh oh - not sure how many movie tickets that
would sell! For Jesus spoke equally about hell as he did heaven, if not
more so. I cringed in the movie when the woman ask the Pastor if her son
was in heaven and instead of answering the woman from the words of Jesus, he
gave her a generic answer that played more to her emotion than the truth of
scripture.
Think about it. How would Jesus have
answered that question? Not to be unkind - Jesus was never unkind,
but, he was always truthful. And, the Pastor
should have answered her the same. Jesus made it plain that the way to
heaven was through him - saying himself - "I am the way, the
truth and the life - no one comes to the Father except through me". John
14:6
Yes, according to Jesus there is one way and
only one. And, it is him. Why? Because he is the only one who paid the
price for sin and conquered death. Therefore it is
impossible for any other road to lead to heaven.
Simply impossible. In spite of what other religions, philosophies and good works
promise, they can never deliver - for none of
them lead to God but rather away from God and ultimately to a place of
permanent separation which the Bible describes as hell. A place where
there is nothing of light, love, kindness, beauty or goodness - for these
are all aspects of God. Instead there is pain, loneliness, darkness,
desperation and hopelessness.- all aspects of separation from God.
Friend, if you are reading this today and
you are not yet convinced that Jesus is the only way. I would beg you to
reconsider. For Jesus cannot be a good man, a good teacher or anything else if
his words cannot be trusted. The Bible is clear on this. God himself put on
flesh to dwell among us. He died for our sins and rose from the grave on the
third day - making the impossible,
possible - by closing the gap of separation that
keeps us from God. But, it is a road you must choose. You don't get
on it by default. It is a choice. Repent of your sin, ask
forgiveness and receive God's good gift today - for heaven is for
real!
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only
begotten son that whosoever (believes, trusts. puts their faith) in him shall
not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16
If you have never done this - take that step
today - and, let me know, I would love to rejoice with you and pray with you -
just note it in the comments section. It captures your e-mail address and I will
get back with you.
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall
prosper who love thee" Psalm 122;6
Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon
return of Jesus! Cindy
Very good. Right? jfh