Sometimes we think of death as a scary final experience. That’s how movies tend to show it. A big black hole.  Sad, dark and mysterious.  The end for us.  A time for mourning.

But when I suddenly confronted death face to face, to my surprise, I found I had no fear! Gazing into heaven, I found peace…profound peace and safety.

And where I had expected darkness, I found bright light and vivid colors!  Bold clear blue skies and beautiful golden grass. Things on earth were indeed fading into chaos and gray darkness. But heaven, by contrast, looked welcome to me.

The Holy Spirit invited me, “Patty, do you want to go home?  …It’s time to go home with Jesus.”

He called heaven my home.  As a believer in Jesus, as a child of God, I belong there. Heaven is a warm, safe, wonderful place reserved for God and His children.  The Bible says that we are not aliens entering into a foreign country–but God’s own beloved family, finally joining Him in glory.  God is our Father.  He rejoices to have us with Him forever. He has heaps of blessings stored up for us there.

Of course, heaven is not waiting for everyone who passes away from this life into the next. Many people choose to reject Jesus.  And by doing so, they reject heaven and its rewards.  Jesus loves every person, and He will give you many chances to change your heart toward Him.  But if you continue to reject Jesus on earth, He will allow you to face the consequences of your choice even on your dying day.  He will still love you.  But He will not stand in the way of your free choice to go your own way.

The Bible prescribes only one sure path to heaven–through faith in Jesus.  “Believe in Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household”  (Acts 16:31).  “I am the way, the truth and the life,“ Jesus said clearly.  “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

Jesus is the only way. Choose Jesus.

If you believe in Jesus as the Lord your God, and if you have surrendered your life to Him, you need have no fear in dying.  You can rest assured.  You won’t have to pass any more tests or try to justify yourself to get into heaven.  Jesus has already paid the price for your free admission into heaven.  He paid for you with His own life.  He gave Himself for you.  Now you are saved.  You are not trying to get saved.  You are already saved. And heaven is your home, waiting for you.

When it is your time to go home, you won’t have to knock. The door is open. Just walk right on in.  Free and clear.  Welcome home!

 

Check out this fun video, or catch the lyrics at http://www.lyricshall.com/lyrics/Mavis+Staples/Dont+Knock/