What Really Matters?
Life is a journey filled with countless pursuits, but take some time off to ask; What really matters? Blue lights? Dark lights? Bright lights? Natural music? Human talent ? Good days? Bad days? "Good" things? "Bad" things? Continuously yearning for the things we consider "Good"? Wining the Presidential elections? Striving by every means to escape the matrix? Building a charitable reputation? What really matters?
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment
— Hebrews 9:27 KJV
I, Sergius, writing this right here in my room, am I dying man. Death awaits me. God's impeccable Judgment awaits me. I live with the bearing of Death. Once I toe the line, everything will automatically become meaningless and, better off, never existing. My Education, certificates, earthly knowledge acquired from various initiatives, "connections", Wealth invested into "Les choses de la terre", and every other thing would become massively obsolete. The only meaningful "take-away" from this fleeting world will be my Salvation accompanied by the investments it propelled me to make into God's glorious kingdom.
The Apostle John paints a sobering picture in Revelations 20:12 — "And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God" It's evident that age, social class, or status would be of no consequence on that great day. He continued: "and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works" Still, he continued; " 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Dearest reader, I want to ask you. Do you believe these? Or by some system, you've refused to. Ohh, I visualize the whole thing; "I'd stand before the throne of God. And "Sergius's Book" will be opened, and he will be judged according to what lies in there.
Then the Lord, the Judge in Heaven, picks up his Book of Life. He flips through at a gentle pace, keenly reading through the lines with Heaven's own Search Algorithm, he's gone half of the pages, then ¾, and in my anguish I realize he's flipped through every page in his book, and doesn't find my name. My heart bumps. Anxiety pierces. Tears stream. Fear sweeps. The Agony of God's wrath echoes. I wished it were all a dream! Suddenly, my life flashes before me; those moments when I despised the Lord and turned down his proposal to come into my heart. He then says; "Mr. Sergius Justus, as you can see, I've searched through the Lamb's book of life and couldn't find your name." Again I pause, this time, in greater anguish. "Puzzled…" I recall my name being within Earthly books, flying in Academic research papers, Alumnated in the World's top institutions, on Artifacts, carved beautifully by the river banks on precious stones for generations to see how "influential" my stay on earth was. Oh I recall Forbes ranking me amongst the world's top under 30 innovators, the United Nations speaking greatly of my relentless strive for peace, human rights, and quality education for the underserved population, termed "SDGs". I think about the times I featured In "The reader's digest, and New York Times's" appraisal for Tech Startup tycoons, the world's best AI researchers, and the list goes on…" But No. Just No! My anguish escalates. Heaven didn't know my name. An excruciating pain of sorrow and painful deluge engulfs my being. In profound misery, I realized that I had gained the world and lost my soul. I spent my time on earth seeking human approval, doing what was considered "serving humanity". I had pampered sin, harbored immoral thoughts, and tuned my actions to the frequencies of our "GenZ" world. I lived for the creation rather than the creator. In embracing the world's fame and prestige, I willfully threw away my God-given task and purpose. Oh I was warned, but never took heed. I heard, but never believed. Now, faced with condemnation, I believe the whole thing, and in deep self-hatred, my heart whispers "Too late Hewett". In sorrow, I walk down the path of no return. Eternal fire. Endless punishment. A place for the mockers of God. Where there'd be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Where the worms never die. A place that burns with sulfur and brimstone. Unceasing torment. Languishing pain. Futile regrets, Timeless agony, all in God's infinite loop. Simply because I neglected what really Mattered when I shouldn't've. Now, I must savor God's spoken wrath. Never to be heard from or seen again. Never to be called "Mr President, Doc, Sir, Proff, or Mr. UN Parliamentarian". My sin had found me. It's done! Sealed! I'm Eternally Condemned. Hell becomes my new home. And I live with pain my body never gets acquainted with.
Dear reader, Thank you for reading till this point. By now, you should've seen the emptiness of life and the ephemerality of your own existence here on Earth. Won't you invite the Lord Jesus to come into your life? Won't you embrace the one who died to save you from eternal Damnation? Won't you choose to turn from your sinful ways today and embrace the eternal life God gives to those who believe in him? Don't say the Lord isn't coming any soon. Remember, "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. — Matthew 24:36 " Also, carefully note that you are NOT too young to die. Nathan, my friend whom I loved so dearly, tragically passed away last year. He was just 3 years old, but gone. So soon!
If you want to make that decision, Huge congratulations. I praise the Lord because you're among the few who have found the narrow way which leads to life, just as the Lord Jesus stated "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it — Matthew 7:13–14 NKJV ".
Firstly, ADMIT
that you're a sinner by nature and by practice and that on your own you are without hope. Tell God that you have personally sinned against him in your thoughts, words, and actions. In a sincere prayer, confess all your sins to Him one after the other. Do not omit any sin that you can remember. It may be helpful if you write out your sins on sheets of paper and burn them after God has forgiven you. In doing so, you must be truly sorry for them, since they pierce God's heart. Then truly turn your back to, and abandon your sinful ways. If you stole, steal no more. If you have been committing fornication or adultery in any form, stop it. If you previously fed on pornographic content, please stop. God will not forgive you if you have no desire to stop sinning in all areas of your life; but if you are sincere enough, he will give you the power to stop.
BELIEVE
that Jesus Christ, who is God's son, is the only way, The only truth and the only Life. "Jesus answered, \"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. — John 14:6 RSV\" And the Bible says "For there is only one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men. — 1 Timothy 2:5–6 NIV" If you believe this, you are also rejecting every other system or philosophy that suggests that a man can be reconciled to God outside a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you believe in Jesus Christ, you will want to receive him, for "To all who received him… He gave power to become Children of God — John 1:12 RSV"
BUT,
CONSIDER
the cost of following him. The Lord Jesus said that all who will follow him must deny themselves. This includes selfish financial, social, and other interests. He also wants his followers to take up their crosses and follow him. Are you prepared to abandon your daily interests for those of Christ? Are you prepared to be led in new directions by him ?Are you prepared to suffer and die for him if need be? Jesus said "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword… and a man's enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves his father or mother more that me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me — Matthew 10: 34–38 NIV" It is very costly, but God's gifts; peace, joy, eternal life, etc, are far greater than whatever it may cost you. You do well to choose him. Jesus will have nothing to do with half-hearted people. He demands a total commitment. He will only receive and forgive those who are prepared to follow him AT ANY COST. Think about it and count the cost. If you are prepared to follow him come what may be, then there is something to
DO.
Invite Jesus to come into your heart and life. He says "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door (to his heart and life) I will come in to him and eat with him and he with me — Revelations 3:20 RSV " Why not pray a prayer like this one, or another, as the Holy Spirit leads you?
"Lord Jesus, I am a wretched, lost sinner who has sinned in thought, word, and deed. Forgive me, savior, and transform me into a child of God. Come into my heart now and give me eternal life. I will follow you at all cost, trusting your Holy Spirit to give me all the power that I need. Amen".
If you have prayed the above prayer sincerely, then Jesus has forgiven you and made you God's child right away. He has blotted out all your sins and forgotten the face that you ever sinned (Hebrews 10: 16–17). You have eternal life (1 John 5: 11–13). You are born again; you are an entirely new creature and the past is gone (2 Corinthians 5: 17). You are saved (Romans 10: 9).
Rejoice in your new position before God. Thank him for his marvelous love, forgiveness, salvation, etc. Begin at once to tell other people about Jesus and your new life in him (Just like I'm doing now.) Write to me at once at sergiusnyah@gmail.com. I shall pray for you, with you, and continue helping you grow in your new life in Christ Jesus.
Professor Zacharias Tanee Fomum
May God richly bless you!