Life after Death?

             One of the most significant aspects of attending a funeral service is the fact that we are faced with the stark reality of physical death. Those present might not believe in Heaven or Hell, they might not believe in God or Jesus, they might not believe in the resurrection of the dead, they might not believe in life after death, they might not even believe a single word in the Bible; however, there is one thing that everyone present believes in—physical death. Why?  Because believing in physical death does not require faith, especially when a dead body is reposed right before their eyes.  
  

       On the other hand, 

1. Believing in heaven requires faith;
2. Believing in hell requires faith;
3. Believing in God requires faith;
4. Believing in Jesus requires faith;
5. Believing in life after death requires faith;
6. Believing that the Bible is the inspired Word of God requires faith;
7. Believing that the Word became flesh and lived among us requires faith;
8. Believing that justification is by grace alone through faith along because of Jesus alone requires faith;
9. Believing that Jesus is your Redeemer requires faith;
10. Believing that God has chosen to be merciful to you and lavish His grace upon you requires faith;
11. Believing that the gospel is good news requires faith;
12. Believing that Jesus paid the full penalty for your sins through His death on a cross requires faith;
13. Believing that your sin debt has been paid in full, cancelled, and nailed to the cross, leaving you debt free requires faith;
14. Believing that Heaven is a party to which you have been invited requires faith.

Now the fact is this: You may not believe in any of the 14 statements I just listed, but you do believe in physical death. If it is your belief that your life will end at the point of your physical death, then so be it.  If you believe the heavenly party is a myth and, therefore, you have no desire to spend eternity at the party, then so be it. 

However, if you desire to spend eternity at the party, I can assure you that you have been invited; otherwise, you would not have the desire. If you have this desire, ask the Holy Spirit to give you the faith to believe the previously unbelievable. I assure you that He will do just that.

This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent" (John 6:29 NASB).