Everyone has an idea of what they believe they are worth, and some have much higher expectations than others. Taking the world’s view of my worth, I would probably fall in the middle-American income area. I am employed full-time; draw full social security; live in a mortgaged residence; am paying on two nice but moderate vehicles; and have about as much credit card debt as I can handle. As with just about everyone else on earth, I am not satisfied with what I already possess. (emphasis mine)
When it comes down to earthly possessions, I don’t ever want to be satisfied. That would indicate I wouldn’t be concerned about my eternal soul, and where I will spend my forever. As for what the Lord has given me, it isn’t really mine anyway. He provides all my needs as He sees fit, but doesn’t want me to “worship” any material possessions. That part took some adjustment in my thinking about 30 years ago, to be able to have the frame of mind to be comfortable with what has been given to me. Whenever I leave this earth, either through death or by Rapture, there are no material things that will go with me; and that suits me just fine.
Satan is all too happy to see that people are all caught up in greed and vanity. It becomes a wedge that he can drive between us and our Heavenly Father, for all who will allow it. Whichever way we choose is totally up to each of us. God will in no way force anyone to accept what He has prepared for all who call on Him. He is always there to give forgiveness to all who will repent and accept His free offer of eternity in Heaven (2 Peter 3:9). He requires us to accept His Son, Jesus, as our one and only Savior (John 14:6).
Think about this for a moment: while the world was still lost in sin, and all of our human efforts would never make us worthy, Jesus came to this earth with the sole purpose of rescuing us by shedding His own sinless blood at Calvary (Romans 5:8).
If someone sacrifices themself for us, doesn’t it make sense that we would honor that person? Now go a step further, and understand, that person is the Lord God who created us and everything in Heaven and on earth. Yet, He loves us so much that He would take on our suffering to give us a perfect sacrifice (John 3:16-18). Does He not have the right to set “conditions” by which we can apply that sacrifice to ourselves?
In fact, He could force us to worship Him in any way He would choose, but that would not be pure love. Our God is a God of Love that goes beyond all our mortal understanding. He is totally fair and just; and for those who do not wish to accept Him or His offer, He will allow them the free choice to make their own decision. He makes it very clear what the result of that rejection will be; and at the Great White Throne Judgment, all who are there will be shown they could have had a much more pleasant outcome.
Satanic worship is out in the open as never before, and spreading worldwide just as the Bible said it would. There are those who think anything Heavenly is ridiculous, and they rely on what they can see and feel here (1 Corinthians 1:18-19). The devil is skilled at deception and has done all he can to turn souls away from Jesus. The Father knows those who are “earth-dedicated,” and as a result, will allow them to be deceived and will send a strong deluding force so they will believe all Satan has to say (2 Thessalonians 2:11).
The world measures our worth by our possessions, our employment, our education and whatever. God measures us as an immortal soul He created.
His desire to provide a wonderful eternity for us is so great that He sent a precious part of Himself to make it possible for us to be with Him forever. Not only that, after He raised Jesus from the dead and returned Him to Heaven, He didn’t leave us stranded to fend for ourselves. He sent another special part of Himself, the Holy Spirit, to indwell all who become a part of our Savior’s flock. He is a protector from demons, and also is our conscience. This does not mean we won’t be attacked in numerous ways by evil forces, but we have an advocate to help us get through those attacks. Also, He reminds us that when (not if) we do sin, we will need to go to the Father and ask forgiveness, which we will always receive (1 John 1:8-10).
As long as we are in these mortal bodies, we will have the sin-nature within us, and will slip and fall at times. God can tolerate no sin. However, all who have received and accepted Jesus as their Savior are covered by His precious shed blood. One drop of the blood shed by Jesus at Calvary is worth more than all the treasures this world holds.
My worth in all this? Without Jesus, my worth is zero. I could possess all the riches this world offers and still be as a pauper. With Jesus in my heart, when the Father looks at me, He sees the result of His Son’s precious gift for all who will call on Him (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13). My sins are removed as far as east is from west (Psalm 103:12). My worth, at that point, is priceless.
As the Hymn so aptly covers it, “Jesus paid it all; all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow.”
Once we are free of this sin-cursed world, we will receive brand-new immortal and imperishable bodies designed to last forever. With our new mind-set, we will be free from ever sinning again. Never to be tempted and having any evil in our lives.
Those who did not do God’s will from the Creation to Calvary; and those who have not or will not accept Jesus from Calvary to the end of the Millennium, will be judged at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15). The final evil antichrist and false prophet will be the first occupants of the Lake of Fire (Revelation 19:20), and they will be followed a thousand years later by the prince of evil, Satan himself (Revelation 20:10). Even though there will be a great number of souls there, it will be completely dark, and each soul will suffer its designated punishment forever. There is no reprieve or pardon. Those false prophets telling people otherwise will find this to be the case for themselves.
All who have followed God’s will up to Calvary, and all who are saved by Jesus’ blood will have an eternity that cannot be described in earthly terms. It will be totally satisfying and absolutely wonderful. The cost? Asking Jesus to forgive our sins, and to be our Savior forever. All who truly accept Him will be saved, and this gift was paid for in full on that cross by His precious shed blood.
Don’t take the chance by putting off the call until later. Satan loves it when people do this. Also, all can be saved, no matter what your past life was. Jesus could come for us at any time now, as all the signs are present as never before. Be ready to leave this earth when He does call, and miss the terrible 7-year period of wrath that is coming. Hope to see you at Home!
Maranatha