"The Switch!"

"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18 KJV)

  "For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree and instead the briar shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." (Isaiah 55:12-13 KJV) 

  Herein is the difference in His name, because His name represents Life instead of death! Simply put, if you have eternal life in Christ Jesus, there is nothing that can take you down, destroy you, or make you not have the eternal life that you have been given! I know that might sound as if I am preaching Eternal Salvation; and if it does, it is because that's what it is, Eternal Life! 

  If you want to know the difference between those that have it and those that don't, it is simply that which they came to see! Did you come to Jesus so you would feel better about yourself? Did you come seeking a better and more comfortable life? Did you come to be happy and free from worries? Or, was it simply because you thought it would clean up your life? 

  All of these reasons are superficial and never last; at the first sign of conflict or distress, they are swept away and seemingly out of reach. Jesus Christ came to free us from condemnation that has nothing to do with this life, but from that which is to come. Which is why the cares of this life, no matter hard they might appear, are not worth walking away from the gift that we have been given. This life will soon be gone, it is the next life we are living for and most be after! 

  I know I talk a big game, but believe me, it is mostly talk. There is really nothing that I have to boast about, I just have hope in what comes after I am done with this earthly struggle. It is hard to keep from slipping back into sin; there are so many things we are tempted with, day after day, it takes a toll on us if we don't get washed daily, maybe even three or more times a day! But, you can really know what is real when the hurt gets real! That much I do know a little something about. 

  The difference is the Life! Did you come seeking Eternal Life! That is what His name represents; it's not about feeling the joy and happiness; but you will anyways! It's not about the peace that passes all understanding; but you will know what it feels like! It's not about loosing worry and fear; but you will not be worried or fear death anymore! And it is surely not about cleaning up life; but He will wash you as white as snow! 

  These are the perks that come with being saved, they are not the reasons for our salvation...

"Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay." (Romans 8:18-21 NLT)