​When the chains rattle….

One of my favorite movies when I was a child was the Dickens tale, a Christmas Carol. For some reason I always enjoyed movies that scared me before I would go to sleep. As I read the opening of this book how good is good enough scenes from that movie came to my mind. One part in particular is when the ghost with the chains come sent to Ebenezer Scrooge’s room. At this particular time while I’m writing I cannot remember if it was Christmas past, Christmas present or Christmas future. All I can remember are the chains.

Why the chains?

Because that’s how I view death. Like the scary rattling chains in the distance just waiting to carry me from this earth. You may chuckle at that statement but all of us have things that bother us from time to time. Today the fear of chains is not as real but six months ago as my body was fighting an infection in my lungs were full of fluid those thoughts were more real.

Andy makes a great point about heaven, that is to tell others how to get there you would either need to have a clear set of directions or you would’ve had to die, come back, and share what you learned while you were in heaven.

I’m sure in classic reading and traditional English that this segue is probably not the best ever penned or typed. For those who know me I’ve never claimed to be a English major. So here we go, as I jump in with both feet, so get ready to answer a few questions.

What makes you doubt?

What makes you think you’re unsaved or makes you feel unsaved?

What rattles your cage or rocks your world and makes you think about death?

What makes you doubt others who say they are saved?

What would you say if someone asked you this question… if you had to face God today what would you say to him that would make him want to let you into heaven?

The answers to the questions above are the exact reasons why we are reading this book together. I have found that many individuals feel as if they’re going to heaven because have lived a good life. Even in traditional, evangelical American churches. Even after confessing their faith in Christ has come through faith by God's grace. There is still something inside of us that thinks we "get" or even that we "stay" possessors of eternal life by our actions. That carries over when we see something someone else does or they hear something someone says and we immediately want to say that person can’t be a Christian, because of the bad they have done or said.

So as we open up the pages of this book, there is one last thought/question I want to leave with you.

What makes you worthy of eternal life in heaven?

I think it’s best place to start so that we can clearly communicate the gospel to others.

For sure, you will have to be dead. But before your dead, what is your answer?

Believe it or not there is an answer, and the correct answer is universal to all.

Comment away…