For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things, but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.  Philippians 3:18-21 HCSB

Yesterday I spoke of losing loved ones and trusting that God’s will and His way are always best. Losing someone that we love is devastating. The pain in our hearts is unbearable at times and I can tell you from losing my dad that it never completely goes away. It may get easier, but we always miss having them in our lives. But we are told to thank God in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). When you think of that kind of loss it’s hard to think of being thankful. But we can be thankful for the time we got to spend with them. We can be thankful for the love we shared and the things they taught us. But most importantly if they were Christians and we have a good, solid relationship with Christ, we can be thankful that we will most surely see them again. We will spend eternity with them and with our heavenly Father in Heaven.

This is why it is so important to share God’s love with others here on earth. It’s important that we help them to understand how critical it is to follow Christ during the short span of time that God gives us while we are here.

Jesus endured incredible pain and suffering on the cross. But worst of all, He was separated from God the Father when he took on my sin and yours. This was worse than the beating and worse than the nails being driven into his hands and feet. This separation from God was torment for Him, but He endured these things knowing that they would only last for a while. He knew that He would be resurrected and would eventually ascend to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father.

As you go through this day, Good Friday, I ask you to take time to remember what He did for you and for me. Take time to really understand the fact that this man with no sin took on the sin of sinners like you and me so that we might have eternal life. I ask you not to waste this opportunity, but to embrace it.

If you haven’t done so, pursue Him, seek Him, trust in Him and love Him with your whole heart. His love for us was so great that He came to earth to witness the evil that existed here, to be rejected and despised, so that He might save sinners like you and me (John 3:16). His love was so great that He laid down His life for us (John 15:13). In John 15:14 he tells us that we are His friend if we do what He commands.

Jesus came to earth not only to die for us but to live a life that was to be an example for us and how we should live. He told His disciples in Matthew 5:44, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.  From the cross, He said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34).  In His life He practiced what He preached. In His death we were given the opportunity to have eternal life. His blood can cleanse us from our sins and unrighteousness. It gives us the comfort of knowing that when our loved one passes on, it’s not goodbye, it’s just see you later.

If you have not trusted in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I beg of you to do so. If you love Him and trust Him don’t just sit there, let others know of this great love that He had for us. Let others know what He has done in your life and what he can do in their lives. Studies have shown that people are more open to coming to church on Easter Sunday than any other Sunday. This is the perfect time to invite someone to church. If your church is doing church online, encourage them to get online and attend the service. Our church is doing a drive in service. Some of these alternative ways of attending may be just what is needed to get those that have been resistant to attend a service.

There is no middle ground, we are either enemies of the cross or citizens of Heaven. We are given free will to choose. I encourage you to choose wisely and also to encourage those around you to do the same.

Physical death is not the end, but a glorious beginning, it’s not goodbye, it’s just “see you later”. Love Him with all your heart and do all you can to win others to Him so that someday we can all attend that great worship service in heaven with Him.

Have a great day!