You Only Live Once… Or Not?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16

I read on Instagram the other day: ” Live knowing you only live once”. I thought, “What a great master of deceitfulness Satan is!” He definitely gets 100 on creativity. This phrase is common in people who want to live to the “fullest” because “you only live once”.

The lie in this phrase is very subtle, just like it was in the garden of Eden. In the Bible it is mentioned that the men will die, however, this is referring to our earthly bodies; afterward, we will live eternally: “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” Heb. 9:27, the judgment referring to the moment God will judge who will spend eternity with Him, and who are going to spend it in hell, but one way or another, we will live for eternity.

Why is this clarification important? Because those who aren’t believers are being deceived under this idea and aren’t being confronted with the truth that each human being has an eternal soul and those who haven’t accepted Christ as their Savior will have an awful destiny: “They will be tormented day and night forever and ever”. Rev. 20:10 b

Even though Jesus already died for our sins, the decision of accepting the gift of salvation is individual: “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”. Rom. 10:9, also is unmerited: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast” Eph. 2:8-9

It’s not easy to be confronted with this reality, being asked to make a decision that will change literally the rest of our lives – sometimes I can’t even decide what to have for breakfast! Nonetheless, the question is unavoidable. Do you know where you’re going to spend eternity, in heaven or hell?  
I know it sounds extreme and radical, but seek within and out of you, look around, does it make sense what is going on around the world? Does it make sense to be born just to suffer a lot and enjoy a little, and then to die, and just like that it’s the end of your life?

Deep in yourself, you know you were made for something more, you were made to enjoy and delight in God for eternity. Although it sounds complicated, in reality is very easy to make the decision and take the first step. The only thing you need to do is to recognize you’ve been running away from God, that you don’t want to do that anymore, ask him to forgive you, and tell Jesus you want an intimate relationship with him. God is not asking you to leave anything or to bring anything, He just wants you to come to Him: ” Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” Rev. 3:20

Someone is knocking on the door, what are you waiting for?


About the author: Anyeline is a mom to one, lover of Jesus, and enjoys a great cup of coffee. She is originally from the Dominican Republic, but is now a proud U.S. citizen. When visiting our church, you can find her teaching our young adult women or helping out in children’s ministry. She always has a smile and a warm greeting for friends and strangers alike.