(Note: This article is scheduled to appear in the May 27 edition of the Linn County News.)
The effects of sin are far more devastating than most people realize. The Bible tells us that when God created the world all things were “good.” But Satan tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and they rebelled against God…making all things bad. Through Adam’s fall, a sin curse entered the world; and now all of us are born into this cursed state before God.
The existence of death, sickness, pain, crime, evil, and all forms of misery are a result of the sin curse. Sin runs rampant, and we all feel its effects on a daily basis. Even people who don’t realize sin is the problem, still struggle greatly under its overwhelming burden. Indeed, it’s almost impossible to envision a world without sin. A world without the curse. But such a world is coming for the people of Christ.
In the very last chapter of the Bible, the book of Revelation speaks of Heaven, saying: “There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 22:3-5 NASB)
For those who have turned from their sin in repentance and committed their lives to Jesus Christ as Lord, while on earth…a perfect world awaits in Heaven. Not only will we no longer sin…we won’t even have the temptation or desire to sin. No sickness. No pain. No sorrow. No death. Only eternal joy in the presence of the Lord whom we love so much. But there are two sides to every coin.
Those who refuse to submit to Christ in this life will find a world that is far more cursed than this tainted planet. Hell is a place Jesus spoke of often. A place where the curse is intensified, and indeed lasts for an eternity. A place with no second chances. A place of utter misery.
As for me, I’ve experience enough cursing in this world to last me a lifetime. I would prefer to go to a world where the curse is no more. I would prefer to worship forever, rather than writhe in misery. As for me, I’ll take Jesus – and seek to follow Him daily as Lord of my life. I hope you will too.
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