By Benescke Janse van Rensburg
[Thanks for all the e-mails and contributions over the past month. It remains exciting to hear about God’s involvement in reader’s lives. For feedback on the series, e-mail us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Greetings, Benescke]
A Scottish doctor, John Baillie wrote in his book, And the life everlasting, of a day when he sat next to his dying friend’s bed in his house. At one stage, his friend turned to him with the words: “John, you are an educated believer. . . What awaits me after my death?”
A moment of silence set in as John did not immediately have an answer to his friend's question. Even though John believed in an eternal life after death, he did not exactly know what it entails and how he would explain to his friend.
When the two friends suddenly heard a scratching at the front door, John felt as if the Holy Sprit dropped a certain image in his spirit. He turned to his friend and asked: “Can you hear the scratching at the door?” His friend nodded. “It is my dog patiently waiting for me outside the door. He has never been in your beautiful home and does not know what it looks like inside. Yet, he is eager to enter. Why? Because I am here. It is the same about life after death. I do not know what exactly awaits us after we die, but I look forward to it, because I know God is there.”
John’s dying friend smiled and nodded. “Thank you, my friend, that is enough for me.”
Can we be sure that a life after death awaits us?
Yes. In John 3:16 we read, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. And in 1 John 2:25 we read, “And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.”
What is the requirement for eternal life?
To believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior.
The aim of salvation is not to just escape an eternity of misery, but rather because we choose God and desire a relationship with Him. This is why we can draw close to Him during times of worry about our loved ones, when we lack wisdom, in fearful situations, amid temptations, in the workplace or even amid a season of drought. We do this by fasting and prayer and to make time to listen to God’s voice. In James 4: 8 we read:“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” And in Matthew 7: 7 it is written: “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”
Let us remind ourselves that life on earth is temporary and that we are headed toward our final destination, namely eternity with God. Even though we might not know exactly what awaits us, we can eagerly look forward to it because we know that God is there. God bless.
Father God, thank you that I can know that your desire to have a relationship with me is even greater that mine. Help me to hear your voice clearer so I can know you more intimately. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.