// Real Stories // Freddie //

HOPE.

Is life after death just a myth to give people hope? Some have suggested that’s the reason for religion, to give people hope and to take their eyes off of the harsh reality that death is certain. The Bible speaks about death for everyone as a foregone conclusion, but that is not the end: “…it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgement…” (Heb 9:27) Sadly, in the world’s rebellion (that is, everyone) against God, He will judge us for our rejecting of Him – that is, Him who created us and gave us our being: the Creator God. So, there is no hope for anyone after death because of all of our rejecting of God, there is only judgement after death. In steps Jesus. He lives the perfect life in total submission to God’s rule, unlike us, and is killed for it! But in his death, he isn’t dying because he was a criminal, but because WE are. A verse in the Bible reads, “For Christ [that is, Jesus] also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.” (1 Pet 3:18) Jesus bring us to God in his dying, suffering the judgement and wrath that we rightfully deserve to suffer. So, THERE IS HOPE after death in Jesus. The eternal price for our rebellion is paid, in full, by him.

A great verse to ponder is this, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:36) Jesus is Lord and, in him, there is wonderful hope – not just today, but forever.

// Events week - Jan 28 - Feb 1 | 2019 //