Bible
Recently, I heard an acronym for the word BIBLE that said, Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.
What struck me first when I heard this is that in this day and age, leaving earth usually means people heading out into space to return someday, except for those planning a one-way journey to Mars. It is easy to forget that all of us are only here for a short space of time and that one day we all leave here through the door of death, for an eternal destination.
Our time here on earth is preparation for our next life. But, how do we find out that there is another world waiting for us? The Bible holds all the answers to any question that we might have.
What are the possible places to go? “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18. “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43. How do we get there? “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6.
Who will be able to go? “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9.
What is it like? “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4.
How should we behave here on earth? “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 13:34 and the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17.
What do I have to do? “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:” Isaiah 55:6.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.
This is just a small sample of the basic instructions that God gives us to live by before He calls us to our eternal home. They are clear and simple so that even a child can understand them.
“And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-4.
This is how much our Lord loves us, He wants everyone to be able to follow Him. Read your Bible and find out for yourself what God want you to do and what He will do for you and what the next world will hold for all of us.