The Bible teaches that there is an everlasting life, and a place or spiritual state called Heaven. It also makes clear that it’s available only to those who choose to believe in God’s son, Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. ” (John 3.16-17 New King James Version)
In the book of Ephesians it describes the process in this way: ” For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2.8-9).
Today many educated and otherwise thoughtful people cling to views of the cosmos, life, evolution, and a death that ends life with a meaningless void. It’s their “faith”, but what if they’re wrong? The Bible clearly teaches that they are wrong! In the end, the most important thing that separates those people from those enjoying everlasting life with our Lord isn’t education or intelligence or status in the world. It’s whether or not they believed God’s words on the subject.
Why believe in Christ?
There was a time when following Jesus was discouraging to his followers, and many turned away. Jesus confronted his twelve disciples and asked if they would leave too. Simon Peter answered him saying, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6.68-69). Respect in the world, or eternal life: Which would you choose? Peter made the only sensible choice, and so have millions of true believers through the years.
Most Christians will agree that there are times when they feel discouraged for their choice to follow Christ. In our modern culture we’re barraged with messages telling us to buy more things, to fulfill the lust of the flesh, and to otherwise ignore what the Bible says. Peter had those same feelings too, albeit with very different particulars than ours today. Take a lesson from his simple logic: “NONE of those other voices are offering everlasting life. Only Jesus. I choose him in faith and will continue in that no matter what.” (paraphrased)