Jesus promised that His Father would send His followers the Holy Spirit once He left the earth: “He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; …He abides with you and will be in you” (John 14:16). The Bible proclaims that we are, “sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:13-14). What does it actually mean to have the Holy Spirit living within us?

Just imagine it! The Holy Spirit is a Person, a divine member of the Godhead. And God has given Him to us. He is always there, “guiding us into all truth” and comforting us” (John 16:13), at the very core of our being. We need to fully appreciate this precious gift God has bestowed on us. He always glorifies Jesus and will be our constant companion. Our part is to continuously pursue intimacy with Him.

Jeremiah 6:16 proclaims, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Have you chosen God’s path? Great! But there’s a fork in the trail which demands another decision. One route is a leisurely walk along a gently flowing stream. The other leads you straight up into the high country.

     The easy path is pleasant and needs little attention. The higher trail is rigorous and requires time, perseverance and vigilance. The temptation is always there to choose the meandering path along the picturesque river. But God has an even better way! Those who take the high road experience vistas that are impossible without His direction—not to mention exceptionally rich eternal rewards. Paul says it well, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

Psalm 84 declares: “The Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” In Romans 8:28 Paul goes even a step further: “God causes all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” So, what’s God up to when everything seems to be going haywire in life? As difficult as it may be to believe, He’s up to good.

Jesus sees the big pig picture. He knows what you truly need. He allows suffering in your life that you might grow into the child of God He designed you for from the very beginning—one who is bent on pursuing Him with all your heart rather than merely chasing your own desires. Jesus came that we might be conformed to His very own image (Romans 8:29). We are children of God, and we need His discipline to experience His finest.

The Bible describes our place in Christ’s body like being that of our own body—an eye or a hand, for example. The idea is how crucial it is to function together as a whole. But what if we change the perspective a little? Think about reducing yourself to the level of a cell. Immediately your sense of self-importance diminishes a bit, doesn’t it.

            Yet consider how vital each cell is to a healthy organism. If that cell dies or becomes malignant it ceases to be useful, or may even become destructive. So it is with us as members of the body of Christ. Though you may not think of yourself as much, you are essential to the wellbeing of the whole. How could the eye or the hand even exist without all those cells working together? Every component is critical. Where would Christ’s church be without a healthy and vibrant you?

While in captivity, Paul recorded several prayers in his letters to three different churches. What’s remarkable is their perfect agreement with one another, which all the more emphasizes their importance for us. Each prayer begins with the necessity of being filled with the knowledge of God’s will. Paul knows this can only happen by means of revelation—God speaking His truth straight into our heart. There is no other way to gain true understanding!

We lean heavily on our knowledge of the Bible for God’s truth. Yet while the Bible is indeed the primary means of grasping His reality, it means very little if our understanding is merely intellectual. Rather, we must keep in mind what is at the forefront of Paul’s exhortation. God Himself must be the one to impart His truth as we read and meditate. Open yourself up to His leading. He will speak if we truly listen.

Is it really fair on God’s part to allow just a few of us to enjoy life with Him forever? Is God biased; is He unjust? Why not all of us? Why not put together a plan that would ultimately save all mankind? The single most important thing to understand when dealing with the Creator and Sustainer of all things, is that it’s His laws that apply, not ours. This is God’s deal. We don’t make the rules; He does! How do we know this to be true? The Bible says so.

We’ve all heard the expression, “I’d bet my life on it.” Truth be told, that’s precisely what we are doing throughout the span of our lives here on earth. This is no game! Eternal life or eternal separation from the Giver of life hangs in the balance. Which will it be? You are betting your life on it.

From: The Path through the Maze—Answering Life’s Ultimate Question: What Happens After We Die?

Judgment?  God is about to wrap up history by bringing before Him all who have ever lived for a final accounting at the Last Judgment. It’s only natural to experience a sense of fear when we hear that term. It is indeed a terrifying prospect! Yet for those who have become God’s children, judgment will be the most treasured moment of their lives. The majesty of eternal life awaits God’s chosen ones. What He has in store for His people defies imagination.

Even now we have a chance of glimpsing eternity. A spiritual reality surrounds us—just as real as the physical one we now inhabit. But only those who have been born again into relationship with Jesus can experience it. Those who do not know Christ remain blinded to the presence of this supernatural world. God knows all about this; it has been a part of His plan from the very beginning.

From: The Path through the Maze—Answering Life’s Ultimate Question: What Happens After We Die?

God’s Book of Life contains a record of all who truly belong to Him. At the Last Judgment, all whose names are not found written in it will be thrown into a lake of fire, which, of course, results in eternal separation from God. Failure to take advantage of Christ’s offer of salvation will be the supreme regret of a person’s life.

Just think about the unbearable sorrow people will feel as they see the promise of union with God slipping away before their very eyes—the chance to share His life in a place where time ceases to exist, eternity, lost forever. And then it’s too late to make amends. Now is the time for that! Our greatest fear should not merely be the prospect of going to hell, but that of missing the purpose for which we were created in the first place. What greater anguish could there ever be!

From: The Path through the Maze—Answering Life’s Ultimate Question: What Happens After We Die?

The reality of human suffering strikes at the very heart of God’s intention for His creation. God is not unjust; He’s merely fulfilling His purpose with the ultimate goal of eternal life in mind. So, does God want us to be miserable during our lives here on earth? Not at all! He wants us to be happy, just not at the expense of what we’ve truly been designed for.

For God, happiness is defined as joy. We sometimes experience true joy—that delightful inner feeling springing up through our emotions. Yet for most people it’s rare, because joy is rooted in peace. And peace is what’s missing when relationship with God is lacking. Jesus said it best: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart troubled nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27)

From: The Path through the Maze—Answering Life’s Ultimate Question: What Happens After We Die?