Then What?

Man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment. Hebrews 9:27 Berean Standard Bible

For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive the things in the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 World English Bible

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB 1977

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 NASB 1977

I don’t watch much television, but when I do, I really hate commercials. Usually. There are a few that make me chuckle, but most are mute-worthy. But there’s one that has stuck with me, and caused me to think. Deeply. Though it’s been nearly twenty years since I last saw it, I can still hear the narrator’s grandfatherly-voice as he asked probing questions of a young man who’s just about to wrap-up his high school days.

On camera is pictured a smiling young man with his cap and gown, excited about his future. The unseen narrator asks him about life after graduation by saying, “Then what?”

Beaming, he replies, “College.”

“Then what?” the off-camera voice asks again.

“I’ll find a good job,” still smiling with anticipation of a hopeful future.

“Then what?”

“I guess I’ll get married and have some kids.”

“Then what?”

Appearing a little irritated at this point, the young man responds, “I don’t know, move up the corporate ladder I guess.”

“Then what?” the unseen grandfather continues to probe.

With a shoulder-shrug, he answers, “Save some money, buy a nice house, take nice vacations.”

“Then what?”

“I suppose I’ll retire to Florida and buy a boat.” (My husband would definitely add golf to that scenario.)

“Then what?” came the now, uncomfortably probing question.

The look on the young man’s face has changed from irritated, to a soberness at the harsh reality that he is forced to confront, perhaps for the first time. “I’ll die I suppose.”

“Then what?”

The on-camera scene fades from the high-schooler’s outdoor party, to a cemetery, where the camera lingers with silence before closing with the words, “Then what?” spoken by the narrator and emblazoned across the screen.

This decades-old commercial flooded my mind while listening to a podcast. The speaker reminded us of God’s Word that says, “It is appointed unto man to die once and then the judgement.” “And then,” leaped off the “page” and rattled around my heart. “And then…” There is something after we die. There will be a day. A moment in time when our “then” will occur. *And I don’t know about you, but if the Lord were to judge me on all that I have done, thought, said and/or left undone, I’m toast. Thankfully, God has provided us a way to stand before Him in judgement, without fear. But only one way. As Jesus Christ Himself said, “I AM the way, the Truth and the Life, and no man comes to the Father accept through Me.”

We have earned (our wages) death and eternal punishment, but He offers us the free gift (grace) of eternal life. All we must do is repent (acknowledge our “I’m toast” condition and be willing to turn from it) and accept His free gift by faith (Trusting that what He said is true).

“The great exchange”, as Martin Luther put it. “That is the mystery which is rich in divine grace to sinners: wherein by a wonderful exchange our sins are no longer ours but Christ’s and the righteousness of Christ not Christ’s but ours.”

“Then what?” Though only a commercial tagline, the question is thought-provoking, isn’t it? What about you? Whether your life’s story is exactly as you’d imagined or closer to a bad dream, it will end one day. When it comes to death, the stats are 10 out of 10. We all have a shelf-life.

Have you made peace with the God who created you, and loves you so much He paid the penalty for all your sins? As with any gift, it requires we reach out and take it, it will not be forced upon us. None of us know our expiration date, but it has been appointed to us. Are you ready for your, “And then” moment?

“Christ did not suffer and die to offer cheap grace. Jesus did not willingly go to the cross so we could have an easy life or offer a faith built on easy-believism. As someone said, ‘Salvation is free, but not cheap.’ It cost Jesus His life.” – Billy Graham

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

For real-time help or to just talk with someone about the topic.

Here is how you can receive Christ:       (Taken from PeaceWithGod.net , affiliated with Billy Graham Ministry)

*Admit your need. (I am a sinner.)

Be willing to turn from your sins (repent) and ask for God’s forgiveness.

Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.

Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior)

We suggest a prayer like this one:

“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I choose to turn from my sins, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I ask Him to come into my heart and to take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

*Actually, I do know about you, because God’s Word says that “All have sinned and fallen short of His standard.” It’s the admitting it that’s the hard part.

My Story of facing … “Then what?“