You Need to Ask the Most Important Question
I’ve wrestled with this post for a while. It’s so much easier to write those feel-good grace-filled posts that remind us of God’s abundant goodness and mercy.
And we’ll get to that, too … because that’s where we must land after we’ve come face to face with who we are without Him.
But after wrestling with God and asking Him again and again if I’m really the person He wants to write these words … I’m giving in and I’m writing this post to the person who finds it easy to ridicule and mock those who (like me) have surrendered their lives to God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
I’m writing this to:
The person who has rejected the “crutch” of Christianity.
The person who has decided Jesus is one of countless ways to God.
The person who believes there is no hell.
The person who is self-sufficient and too strong to need God.
The person who is too busy and doesn’t have time for God.
The person who puts their political views ahead of God’s Word.
The person who believes “good people” will go to heaven.
The person who believes this life is all there is.
If you know this person or you are this person, please keep reading … I have an important question for you.
A question God placed on my heart and mind a few weeks ago. One I’ve used to challenge myself and that I hope will challenge you and make you stop and think — and pray.
You Need to Ask the Most Important Question
What if you’re wrong?
What if there is life after death?
What if both heaven and hell are very real places?
What if you will have to stand before a holy and righteous God at the time of your death to give an account of the way you lived your life?
What if your good isn’t good enough?
What if Jesus really is the only way to heaven?
What if?
Before I go to the Bible and show you some of the reasons I believe these questions are more important than where you’ll go to school or who you’ll marry … and believe me those questions are really important, I want to tell you my answer to the question.
My answer to – What if I’m wrong?
If I’m wrong, and I believe there is overwhelming evidence to support my faith. I don’t believe anyone who has surrendered their life to God through faith in Jesus is wrong.
But, just for a moment, let’s go there, let’s assume there is no God. No Creator. No Resurrected Savior. No Comforting Holy Spirit.
If I’m wrong and there is no God … I wouldn’t change a thing.
My life has been full of hope, unexpected joy, impossible to understand peace, indescribable strength when I needed it most, and miraculous healing. I’m blessed. My life is good.
And if I get to the end of my life and I discover there is no life after this one … I can’t imagine having lived my life any other way. The things I chose to sacrifice out of obedience to God protected me from so many problems and potential consequences. I didn’t miss out on a thing.
Which is why I’m inviting you to ask yourself this important question.
When I listen to people who believe followers of Jesus are weak and foolish or border on “mental illness,” I can’t help but think about how miserable and angry many of them seem at the moment.
So, I’m inviting you to ask yourself the question…
What if I’m wrong?
I’d like you to think about what the Bible says about the “what if” questions I asked above.
What if there is life after death?
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
“I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Jesus to thief on the cross beside Him.) Luke 23:43
What if both heaven and hell are very real places?
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Jesus – Sermon on the Mount) Matthew 7:13–14
What if you will have to stand before a holy and righteous God at the time of your death to give an account of the way you lived your life?
“God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.” (Jesus to Nicodemus) John 3:17–18
What if your good isn’t good enough?
“And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” (Jesus to religious leaders) Matthew 12:36–37
And…
Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them. (Jesus to His disciples) John 14:21
What if Jesus really is the only way to heaven?
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (to His disciples) John 14:6
One more word from Jesus…
Jesus told a story of The Rich Man and Poor Lazarus. You can read it here.
One of the moving parts of this story is when the rich man pleads with Abraham to allow Lazarus to return from the dead to warn His family…
“Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.” Luke 17:27–28
So, I’m inviting you to ask one more important question…
What if my loved ones – children, parents, siblings …. my relatives and friends are being influenced for eternity by my lack of faith?
So, please ask yourself the most important question.
So, please ask yourself the most important question.What if I’m wrong?
And if it makes you stop and think for just moment or two, if you’re not sure about your relationship with God through Jesus, if you wonder about the future…
Please seek the truth?
Ask questions? Pray and ask God to reveal the truth to you? Talk to people who have placed their trust in Jesus. Dig for answers.
I’ve never known anyone who sought the truth, who didn’t realize the only truth that matters is that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that God is who He says He is in the Bible and that…
This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. 1 Timothy 2:3–6
God loves you so much, He sent Jesus to pay the price for every wrong you have ever done, every thoughtless or cruel word you have ever spoken, every single foolish mistake you’ve made.
You can trust Him. Nothing you have ever done can make Him love you less. He wants to cover you with His grace and mercy sacrificed in and through Jesus on the cross.
There is no better place to live today than with the promise of eternal life with God through Jesus.
I promise. Because even if I’m wrong and I don’t believe I am.
I wouldn’t change a thing!
Leave your prayer requests…
and pray for others who have left requests.
I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.
And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…
What a timely and all-important message, Deb! I love how you’ve laid out the case for Christ without judgment or finger-pointing. With you, I don’t care if I’m “wrong” because too many God-filled moments have graced my life with abundance. And I can’t even begin to imagine a life without my Lord and Savior.
Blessings to you!
Thank you so much, Martha! That was my goal. I think everyone needs to dig deep and ask this question. It’s not about church attendance or doing it right … it’s about Jesus. Have a beautiful day, my friend!
That was a powerful message Deb and you said it so well without condemning but using what ifs to make others reflect! Thanks for posting and be blessed 🙂
Thank you, Lynn! I so appreciate your encouragement. That was my prayer as I was writing. God bless you!
Timely and true. Thanks for the reminder. It’s something I struggle with – sharing the Word in a loving but persistent manner.
It is hard to share Jesus with others. I think we’re concerned it will put people on the defensive and that is never my goal. A pastor friend of ours challenged us this weekend to love people enough to tell them about Jesus. There is nothing else more important. I just want to encourage others to stop and think about it. Thanks for stopping by. God bless you!
Love this, Deb!
Thank you for pointing people to Jesus!
There’s no better place we can point people!
Amen, Melanie! Thanks for always being a faithful encourager! I am so thankful for you!
I loved this Deb! You are so right in that it is easy to post the feel good stuff but harder to post other writings. Every word of this is true and so beautifully written that I had to pin this.
Thank you so much, Tressie! I am so very blessed by your kind encouragement!
O Deb, I am thrilled you wrote this post.
I have wanted to share this same message, but I couldn’t have done it better than you did.
May God continue to lead, guide, and direct your steps.
I will definitely be sharing all over social media.
Blessings,
Tracy
Oh, thank you, Tracy! You are so very kind! My prayer is that this question will nudge people to know more about Jesus before they simply reject or ignore Him. May God bless you and your ministry!
Very important message! It’s one I don’t see very often. and ashamed to say- I don’t write it often enough either. Thanks for being bold enough to tell it like it is.
Thank you, April! I really appreciate your encouragement. It’s so much easier to write the warm fuzzy posts; so, I’m really thankful for those of you who have encouraged me with your kindness. Thank you and God bless you!
Deb, I love this message. It is timely and necessary. We should never be afraid to speak the truth in love. Who knows what seeds are planted when we share the message of love and reconciliation to the Father through His Son. Keep on being beautifully bold in your faith.
Thank you so much, Maria! Your kind encouragement is truly a blessing! I love that picture of seed planting and trusting God to use others to do the watering and His Spirit to provide the growth. We do serve a gracious God! Blessings and hugs!
Deb, This is so well written. I remember many years ago first hearing Nicole Nordeman’s song, “What If”. It gave me chills just like this post. Thank you for this and I am definitely sharing this everywhere!
Hugs,
Lori
Amen! This question first came to my attention when I read C. S. Lewis. It demands an answer. Praise God that he allows us to ask so that he can answer!
I love C. S. Lewis! Thanks so much for visiting and for leaving your kind encouragement. God bless you!