If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. (1 Corinthians 15:18–19, NIV 1984).
My Musings – In other words, if there is no hope in Christ for an afterlife in Heaven, we’ve bargained away a lifetime of seeking temporal pleasures on a false hope. Such would be the case if Christ’s Gospel had not been validated by His resurrection from the dead. “If Christ has not been raised, [our] faith is futile; [we] are still in [our] sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17, NIV 1894).
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.” (1 Corinthians 15:20, NIV 1984). Because He has, the pity now belongs to those who refuse to place their hope in Christ. Pity, because there is nothing else in all creation that can make up for bargaining away eternal life in Heaven. For, “what good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36, NIV 1984). No matter how much a man could gain in this world, would it be enough to “give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:37, NIV 1984). No, only Christ will do.
My Advice – Do not fear the cost of following Jesus. “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29, NIV 1984). Do not regret what you might be missing out on. “[He] will repay you for [whatever] the locusts have eaten.” (Joel 2:25, NIV 1984).
Rather, fear the cost of rejecting Jesus. Eternal damnation, “thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:12, NIV 1984). An eternity of regret for missing out on Heaven, where “the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:3–4, NIV 1894).
The Brew Is A Musing 