“We are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8 (NKJV)
We’ve been talking about eternal realities so that you can clearly see why you need to choose heaven. But there’s one more eternal reality you need to know: There’s no second chance after you die.
You get to choose where you’re going to spend eternity. But you have to choose now while you’re alive, not after you’re dead. There’s no going back! God gives you an entire lifetime to make the right decision. If you keep putting it off, then there will be no second chance to get it right once you’ve died.
The Bible talks about what happens when we’re away from our earthly bodies—“for then we will be at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8 NLT). There is no halfway house between heaven and hell. There’s no intermediate state. There’s no limbo.
You may have heard the term “purgatory.” While the idea developed over time in church history, it is not clearly taught in Scripture.
When Jesus was dying on the cross, there was a man next to him who had been a criminal his entire life. In his last seconds, the man surrendered his life to Jesus and said, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42 NKJV). All he knew about salvation was that Jesus could save him. He didn’t know all the doctrines or theology. He didn’t know all the “right” words. He just said “yes” to Jesus.
Because of the man’s faith, Jesus said to him, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43 NIV).
To get into heaven, all it takes on your part is saying “yes” to Jesus Christ. That’s it! The promise is that you are then guaranteed to be with God instantly when you die and to spend eternity in the joy of his presence.
But you have only one life to make the choice to follow Jesus. And God has done everything to make sure you can get into heaven. Now you just need to receive his promise.
Today, you have the opportunity to choose where you’ll spend eternity. Don’t put it off!
Rick Warren is an innovative pastor, renowned author, and global influencer known for founding Saddleback Church, the Purpose Driven Network, the PEACE Plan, and Hope for Mental Health. He has written several best-selling books, including The Purpose Driven Life, which has sold over 35 million copies in 200 languages. Time magazine named Warren the most influential spiritual leader in America and one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Since stepping down from the lead pastor role at Saddleback in 2022, Warren has continued to inspire people through his Daily Hope Devotional and podcast Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope. His first book in a decade, Created to Dream, was released in April 2023.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
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