Why am I here? Who am I? Where am I going?

Both philosophers and commoners have been grappling with these questions since the beginning of time. And they're important questions. We would all like to think that our lives count for something -- that there's something better in store for us when this life is over. The good news is that the Bible has the answers for these important questions.

First, the Bible teaches that you've been created in the image of God. This means that you share the intellectual and spiritual characteristics of God. As a result, you have the capacity for knowing God personally and communing with Him. This is not something that the animals have.

Second, the Bible teaches that you've been put on this earth for a purpopse -- the purpose of knowing God personally, fellowshiping with Him, and thinking and acting as His representative. What a dignified position -- to serve as God's ambassador! Being God's ambassador glorifies Him and that's why you're here. You're not here to live for your job, your family, or even yourself. You're here to live for God, your Creator.

This is good news. But there's also bad news. The Bible teaches that while you're an image-bearer of God, you're also a sinner. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" is what the Apostle Paul told the Romans of the first century. This verse teaches that sin is universal. You and I, in fact every human being who's ever walked the face of the earth is a sinner both by nature and by choice, with one exception: Jesus Christ. To be a sinner simply means that you don't meet God's standard of perfection. This is bad because in order to be accepted by God and have a home in heaven, you must be as holy as He is. And you're not. You're a sinner. That's who you are.

Third, the Bible teaches that there's a penalty for sin. Paul told the Romans that "The wages of sin is death..." This means that the penalty that you deserve for personal sin is separation from God both physically and spiritually. Before you dismiss this, you must know that this penalty invloves residing in a place that the Bible calls the lake of fire. The lake of fire is a real and eternal place of mental, spiritual, and physical torment (Revelation 20:11-15). It's where all unrepentant sinners ultimately go. It's where you'll go in your unforgiven condition. This is bad news.

But hold on! There's more good news. The good news is that the rest of Paul's verse reads, "...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." This means that instead of going to the lake of fire because of your sin, you can have eternal life. Having eternal life means that when you die, you will go to heaven -- also a real place. It's where God resides. But notice there's only one way to heaven. The only way to heaven is through a PERSON: Jesus Christ our Lord. That's what the Bible verse says. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me." Jesus is the only path, the only road to God. There is no other way. I didn't say it. Jesus did. And that's His right. He's God.

Note too that eternal life is a gift. A gift isn't something you earn or work for. It's simply recieved. God wants you to have eternal life. All you need to do is reach out and take it. How? Through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to this earth from His home in heaven to die on the cross in your place. You deserved to die on the cross for your sin, but He took your place. Why? Because He loves you and because He is the only one qualified to take your sin away. Only He is perfectly holy.

My friend, do you know where you're going when this life is over? Do you know that you have a home in heaven? If you've never repented of your sin and accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then accept Him today. Do it right now. Don't wait till tomorrow. Tomorrow might be too late. The Bible says, "And it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment." This means that there are no second chances for salvation after you die. You die either forgiven or still in your sins.

If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, then here's what the Bible says. It says that you can "know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:11-13). Did you catch that? Having eternal life isn't something you hope for or feel like. It's something you can know. It means that you need not worry about your eternal destiny. That's real assurance.

If you've accepted Jesus as a result of reading my message to you, then please contact me at the e-mail address listed on our home page. I would like to rejoice with you. Or, if you have further questions about your eternal destiny, I'd be happy to introduce you to Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Just send me a note or call the number on our home page.

May God bless and keep you!

Pastor Clarke Poorman