What If? By Doug Schofield

God has made it entirely a matter of personal choice whether we serve Him or not. Most people choose to live like there is no God, and many would-be Christians seem to have a constant battle of “There is – There isn’t” going on in their minds. So what if there is no God, no Heaven or Hell, nothing in the hereafter? What then is the cost of being a Christian? The Christian’s quality of life is still far better than that of one who does not believe in and obey God. The question should not be “What does the Christian loose if there is no God?”, but “What does the unbeliever loose if there is?”

I said the Christian’s quality of life is far better…and that’s true. When we are honest, we must admit that most of the difficulties in our lives are the result of wrong choices we have made, and sometimes of sins we have committed.

If we are true to the principles of Christianity we will avoid the heartbreak and problems that result from sinful acts; our health will be better because we do not abuse our bodies with excesses; we will not be found in situations that could compromise our character or reputation, or place us in physical danger. One who is known as a Christian will have a measure of respect that is not accorded others, (even though some of his unbelieving friends may ridicule him). By choosing to associate with other Christians, one may avoid many potential difficulties, temptations and dangers.

Is everyone who seeks to live and practice Christianity free of sin? Absolutely not!!! And that’s an important point. Jesus said “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). Many people are confused about the church – it is not a group of perfect people, but it is a group of people who know that they are sinful; who know that their only hope in eternity is the saving grace of God and the blood of Jesus. I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven”.

The apostle Paul wrote, “But thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift”, (2 Corinthians 9:15). In 1 Corinthians 6:9 & 10 he enumerates almost a dozen specific sins, stating that those guilty of such cannot inherit the kingdom of God (go to heaven). Then, in verse 11 he says, “…and such were some of you…” (he is writing this letter to members of the Lord’s church in Corinth); “…but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” Yes, even those of use who have been guilty of the worst of transgressions may enjoy the grace of God, and obtain forgiveness of our sins. Thanks be to God!

How then does a Christian live from day to day without sinning in some way? It doesn’t happen. The apostle John tells us in 1 John 1:71 that as long as we are trying to do what is right, and seek forgiveness when we fail, the blood of Jesus is continually available to cleanse us of our sins. In 2:1 he says, “…if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.”

Becoming a Christian will bring about a change in our lives, it will make us better people. We will not achieve a state of sinless perfection, but we will be trying to do that which is right, and best of all, we will have access to forgiveness in Jesus when we fall.

And what if at the end of life we’re just dead and that’s it? We will have lived in good conscience, with less worry and more happiness, and left a legacy of goodness and honor.

Oh, and when the resurrection takes place, we’ll know the joys of heaven for all eternity.