Mathew16:26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Without belief in a world to come then all that is found in this world is to be grasped. If nothing exists beyond this life then we can live selfishly now for tomorrow it may all be gone.
Christians know differently. They know that an eternity awaits all people; an eternity of peace or an eternity of suffering. God has offered an eternity of peace with Him. It is an offer that is received by faith in Jesus Christ. Confessing the truth that Jesus is Lord and believing that he has paid the price for our sins frees us to live with the assurance that eternal peace with God is our eternal destiny.
Despite the ugliness of our sinful past we have been forgiven. Not because of any effort or good work we have done but out of the gracious good pleasure of God. When this truth is made known to a person, they begin to see the true freedom God offers.
Godly freedom changes their world. They no longer need to be selfish. God has shared with them the greatest of all treasures. They no longer have to be hateful. God has shown them true love. They don’t have to be resentful of others. God has shown mercy towards them by giving them something which they did not deserve. God has freed them from their sins in order that they may live in fellowship to Him and conformity to His will. They can live in true fellowship with others.
Jesus’ death on the cross of Calvary and resurrection to new life accomplishes what we could never do, satisfy God’s price for our sins. His victory is freely shared with us and restores our relationship to God. This brings a new life, a new person and a new way to view our world and the people around us.
