Topic: MAKING YOUR LIFE COUNT FOR ETERNITY.

Once there was an old man who was very humble and gentle. Also, this man was full of wisdom, so people would always ask him different questions about life. Then one day, two little boys went to the old man and asked, “Papa, why do you choose to live this way? Other old men are getting remarried to new wives, because they want to enjoy earth to the fullest”. The old man replied, “I’ll tell you this…if I had of known the truth during my youth, then right now, I would be a world evangelist. And today, millions of souls would have been committed into my hands, but I didn’t fulfill that. Instead, during my youth I lived my life as I pleased. Name all of the hotels around this place, and I have slept in them with different girls who took my treasure. I regret that life my, because I did not make my life count for eternity”.

Then looking at the two little boys, the old man continued, “Do you know that I have been HIV positive for about two years now”? At this, the little boys were amazed and asked, “How can that be possible”? Then the old man explained, “After I had lived my life for the devil and he gave me HIV, I ran to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. I asked the Lord to forgive my sins. Then one faithful night, the Lord appeared to me. He showed me the souls that I was supposed to win for the kingdom of God, but sadly at that time, I hadn’t won a single soul to the Lord. But, the Lord told me that He was giving me a second chance, and that I would live for two years and two weeks on earth. Then just this week, the Lord came to me again said, “Be prepared. I’m coming to take you by next week”. So that is why you see me doing what I do and not as the other men. I am determined to make my life count for eternity”.

The little boys’ faces were now covered in tears, and instead of looking to be like the other men enjoying life to the fullest, the little boys asked that the old man lead them to Christ. After leading the boys to Christ, they ran home full of joy. The boys were determined to make their lives count for eternity.

Mark 8:36-37: For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Are you like the other men in the story above? Have you decided to live to enjoy life on earth to the fullest? How are you living your life in this sinful world? Understand that although the old man was given a second chance in life, that a second grace is not guaranteed to everyone (1 Peter 4:10). In fact, if that man would have died before repenting, he would have been in Hell with millions of other souls crying for a second chance. Yet, it would have been too late.

Unlike the old wise man above, who turned to the Lord and made his life count for eternity, I knew a prostitute who failed to turn to the Lord and repent from her sins. In fact, me and my brother Mark went to this lady and told her about the Lord Jesus Christ. But she told us, “I still want to enjoy my life, just leave me alone”. Then after some weeks, this lady died. I saw her in Hell later on one of my encounters. The lady recognized me and said, “Senayon! You and your brother told me, but I didn’t listen! Now I blame myself”! In Hell, this lady is going through unbearable pains, but it is all because while on earth, she did not make her life count for eternity. But in Hell, she still wishes to return to earth and make her life right with God, but that is impossible (Hebs. 9:27).

Know that Hell is a very horrible place. In fact, whenever I think of the fearful appearance of demons there, I would not even wish my worst enemy to Hell. It is that bad. However, many on earth never think about how horrible Hell is and spend their entire life living for the devil. Likewise, they fail to call sin by its real name, sin, but call it fun instead. But this “fun” that they are having for a little while results to an eternity of condemnation in Hell. Unless sin is repented from and Jesus Christ is accepted as Lord, they too will wish to return to earth to make things right with God, but again, that will be impossible. Often times I think of this when I see comments made about late sinners, “May your soul rest in peace, or R.I.P.”. Peace is impossible for their souls, because they have fallen into the eternal pit of Hell to be tormented for their sin. All because they did not make their life count for eternity while on earth.

Instead of enjoying life to the fullest, all should learn from the life of Moses where the author of Hebrews recalls:

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:24-27)

Moses lived his life so that it would count towards eternity, and now he is in the kingdom of God. In fact, I have seen Moses and I know him, and oh how I wish all of us, meaning you reading this message, would live such a life as he did. A life that is uncompromising to sin, and spent sharing the good news with the world.

So ask yourself, is your marriage counted for eternity? I hope that you are not the second wife while the first wife still lives (which is adultery)? Or maybe you are the second husband while your wife’s first husband still lives (again, this is adultery)? Or perhaps, you have a girlfriend too although you are married (adultery again)? On the other hand, maybe you are constantly fighting your husband or wife (strife and violence)? Whatever the situation may be concerning your marriage, it is up to you to determine if your marriage is counted for eternity.

Also, what about the certificates that you didn’t earned but bribed others to get? A fudged certificate or a false document? Is that counted for eternity? Repent and make restitution. What about you students, is your way of living at school counted for eternity? I hope you are not doing school runs, sleeping around with boys, jumping from one club to another? If so, repent now and let your life be counted for eternity. Believers in general, what about the conditions of your hearts? I hope your heart is not a prison of unforgiveness. Have you locked people out or jailed in bitterness, hurt and pain, because you refuse to forgive? What about your imagination? I hope you are not wishing evil things on people such as death, accidents, or other dangerous things. Is this kind of heart counted for eternity? Check your life, your heart, your imagination, and repent.

Finally, what about your ministry? Is it counted for eternity? I hope you are not the kind out to make a profit from others. I hope you are not a deceiver, one teaching things that are not written in the Bible, sharing false testimonies, or distributing fables. If so, where will you spend your eternity? Is this kind of ministry counted for eternity? Remember that eternity is more than what you think, it is eternal life without end. So make up your mind today and repent from your sins. Confess them one by one. Jesus will forgive them all and have mercy on your soul. Please do not delay your salvation until tomorrow, because tomorrow may never come.

For more information about this message please contact the Overcomers’ Group of Christ at Ogc.group@yahoo.com or by calling +2347038404005.

That wot God wants us to do