When some dies, people say things like “She’s gone to a better place,” or “May he rest in peace.” And whilst those platitudes might make us feel better, they make no difference to the one who’s gone.

Death is something that we all struggle with. Of recent times I’ve been closely involved with someone dear to me who’s coming closer to the end of her life.

And when we have those encounters, as well as causing us to think about them, it brings our own mortality into sharp focus. When will my days on this earth draw to an end? Will it be later … or sooner? How will I handle it? What will I be feeling? And then, the big one, What comes next?

Those are the thoughts that go through our minds.

It is, to many, a repugnant claim that Christians make (and indeed, Jesus Himself makes) that the only way to an eternity with God is by putting our faith in Him and what He did on that Cross; by choosing to live a new life free of sin for Him, through what He did by that empty tomb.

How can you Christians claim that? How can you seriously believe in an eternal punishment in this place called Hell?

It flies so much in the face of the soothing “may he rest in peace” platitudes that we trot out at the right time. But that makes it no less true. In fact, it’s a truth that Jesus gave His life for:

John 10:28 I give my sheep eternal life. They will never die, and no one can take them out of my hand.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.