More than one billion Hindus and Buddhists believe that the human soul never perishes or dies, it simply passes through a succession of lives. This concept became popular in India about 800 BC and through the centuries has become central to the teachings of several Eastern religions.
Believers in reincarnation once believed that depending upon one’s deeds in this life–good or bad–would determine whether in the next life their souls would move up or down in the caste system or would infuse another type or animal or plant. Some were taught that they could even be reincarnated as inanimate objects. Today, most believe that the never-ending process of transmigration will result in them returning, after death, in another body where they will again have their deeds, good or bad, tabulated for a subsequent reincarnation.
Hopelessness is inherent in a belief system where there is no objective truth, no standard for measuring good or bad and therefore no way of knowing what will happen in the next life. If in his or her present life, one is poor, sickly, or viewed as an outcast by others, a person can never know if he or she has gained enough credit in this life to achieve a better station in the next. Those on the higher rungs of society fear they may not accumulate enough “good” to avoid returning, after death, to a lower station.
By contrast, the Christian understanding of being born again is that through the death and resurrection of Jesus we are put into right standing with God. All we have to do is acknowledge that Jesus took on the punishment for our sins and ask Him to become the Lord of our life. That is His gift to us. Hopelessness is replaced by hope. Worry is replaced by joy.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
The Bible says that after we die there are NO second chances. God gave us this life in which to make our decision to become a follower of Jesus Christ and enjoy the promise of a glorious eternity, or to reject him and experience an eternity of misery and suffering.
Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:27,28
Our Bible is very clear. When we die, if we have believed in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we will be with Him in some new bodily form, recognizable, knowing others, and able to communicate and worship Him for eternity.
How about you? Have you made that decision for a new joy-filled life here on earth and know without any doubt that you will be with Him forever? If not, we encourage you to read our post: How Can I Become a Christian?
Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay
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