People routinely stumble over the issue of suffering in their attempt to understand God’s purpose for His creation. How can a good and loving God allow the kind of suffering we see in this world? It just doesn’t seem fair. Is it possible to reconcile what seems to be this contradiction in God’s nature? The problem lies in our inability to truly understand God Himself, and thus His purpose for creating things the way they are.
       Our perception of life’s purpose revolves around “the pursuit of happiness.” We see everything in terms of enhancing our quality of life during our time here on earth. This idea is constantly drilled into us throughout our lives. God doesn’t see things this way. His purpose is all-encompassing: life on Earth is an incubator of sorts, a temporary place of testing wherein the children of God ultimately rise to the surface as His chosen ones.

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

People often ask: “What about those who have never heard the gospel? If what you are telling me about Jesus is true, what chance could they possibly have of making it to heaven?” Only God knows the answer to this very reasonable question. He has provided the way for all to come to Him, regardless of the fact that we are unable to fully understand His methods. God’s justice demands it.
          Each and every person on earth has the chance to become one of God’s chosen few.
Everything God does, whether it’s His compassion and mercy, or His wrath, stems from His intrinsic love for people. The bigger question is this: what have you done about His overwhelmingly gracious gift. What are you making of this opportunity in light of the fact that you have heard? This is where personal responsibility comes into play. You’ve now heard the truth; it’s time to act!

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

We were created for union with God. Children forever share a blood relationship with their parents; they will always be family. God sees us this same way. For Him the gift of family will never be forgotten, and therefore His promises are irrevocable. Yet this doesn’t mean we can’t separate ourselves from His purpose through neglect or outright rejection. People can, and do. Children often reject heartbroken parents, who are incapable of restoring relationship with them no matter how hard they try.
       No, the problem isn’t on God’s end; it’s on ours. We always have a path to God if we choose to take it. Beware! Judgment is coming to separate out those who are worthy. It is fundamental to God’s purpose for the destiny of mankind. Judgment would be impossible without freedom of choice on our part. Free will is the reflection of God’s nature in our own.

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

“Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ,” says Romans 10. People need to hear the Gospel. Words we speak about Jesus may seem inconsequential but in reality are very influential, because God takes that opportunity to drop the promise of eternal life into people’s hearts. This in turn produces a glimmer of hope which motivates them to believe.
       “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved,” the Bible states. But it also says, “How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard?” We must avoid being pompous, but we also need to speak. Our words become much more powerful when coupled with a humble lifestyle glorifying God. Sometimes God plants the seed of truth through us, sometimes we water, and other times we reap the harvest. What greater privilege is there than to play even a small part in someone’s salvation.

The Bible often uses the term flesh to illustrate what Jesus strongly warned against: “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Here the term flesh is used to describe that part of our nature which stands in contrast to our spirit. It is the carnal nature of man, the root of our sinful passions.
       Our flesh encompasses body, mind and soul—that part of us which is able to function without ever submitting to God. It’s very important to understand that the flesh follows us into our new life in God. It continues to have a life of its own, even as our spirit made alive.
       Regardless of the fact that we’re now focused on the desire of the Spirit, we find ourselves constantly embroiled in a battle with the desires of our flesh, as Paul so emphatically states in Galatians 5:17. Thank God there’s help!

From Free from the Power of Sin: the Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself

The step of faith is one of immense proportions. It bridges the superficial nod of the intellect to the true belief of the heart. I was once seated next to a guy who had not asked Christ into His life yet accepted the fact that God did indeed exist. We got into a prolonged discussion about Jesus but came to no conclusion as to what he might do about taking that big step.
        Finally I asked the critical question: “Are you willing to ask Jesus to reveal Himself to you? And if He does, would you be willing to give your life to Him? His answer? “No!” I appreciated his brutal honesty. He knew something really significant was required on his part. That’s why his answer had to be “no.” It was the price he was unwilling to pay. It was the fear of giving up control of his life.

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

Surrendering your life is a step of profound obedience. Since God is well aware of every detail of your life, He knows what a huge commitment this is on your part. Take comfort in the fact that God designed it this way and therefore has made every provision for becoming reunited with Him—in spite of the inborn weakness of your humanity. There’s no need to worry. Being “born again” into this new life in Christ can happen in an instant of time for the heart that’s ready to receive Him.
       At the same time the Bible instructs those who have already taken that step to: “Test yourselves, to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Do you recognize that Jesus Christ is in you—or do you fail the test?” You’ll find this practice useful in judging your spiritual condition no matter where you are along life’s path.

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

Just how does a person receive the grace God has so generously provided through Jesus? It involves faith. God deals with your heart as well as your intellect. Faith comes through an act of your will; believing God’s promise is a decision on your part. But faith comes with a price. Jesus gave all He had and He asks you to do the same—the surrender of your entire being to Him.
       Yet how can we make a decision of such magnitude? It’s here that God’s gift of grace comes alive. Faith is not only action, it’s also a gift. Without God Himself instilling within you the faith needed to receive Him the whole thing is simply impossible. So ask Jesus to do in you what you obviously are not capable of yourself. He will, and you will receive a life you never dreamed possible. It merely takes willingness on your part.

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

Sin has separated us from God. We are spiritually dead because of it. But God has solved this problem by bridging that gap through the suffering and death of His very own Son. Jesus took upon Himself the punishment we deserved by paying an outrageous price for our sin. It’s a free gift! The Bible calls it grace; the favor of God which none of us is able to earn, but all can freely receive. It’s God’s promise.
       Receiving His promise takes repentance on our part. Repent is an idea that has been lost in our culture. The word itself seems a bit scary, but it really isn’t. Repentance is merely a change of mind. It means turning away—that is, turning around and going the opposite direction. It means turning away from your old life by rejecting sin, and turning to God as the new direction for your life.

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

Becoming a child of God involves surrendering your life to Jesus. Surrender first means acknowledging that you have been in rebellion against God—ignoring Him and His purpose for your life, no matter how subtle that disregard for Him might be. You have been running the show, having installed yourself on the throne of your life instead of yielding to Jesus as ruler.
       The Bible calls it sin. Sin is commonly thought of as specific acts we commit. But these failings are merely a symptom of a much deeper disease. Disregard for God is the underlying problem. All sin is rooted in rebellion. Often people don’t think of themselves as sinners: “I’ve always been a pretty good person.” Regardless, the Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” When first approaching God, it always comes down to this: “Lord, I know I have sinned against you.”

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