How could anyone not want to be with Jesus? Jesus sacrificed His life that man could be saved. Jesus endured the humiliation, beating, the desertion of His disciples and crucifixion on the cross. It was all because man needed a Savior, it’s just that simple. Jesus left His word so that all can come to the knowledge of what He desires man to do to be saved.
He has also promised to come to retrieve His children one day so that they can live in heaven throughout all eternity.
Still there are those who scoff at the idea of wanting to be with Jesus. They are convinced that this world and human knowledge is all that is important. There is a document called the “Humanist Manifesto” which tells that a belief in judgment is both harmful and distracting from present concerns. In other words, one should not bother with religion, it is only superstition.
Thoughts like these are not new; they were around in the days of the apostles. Peter told of a people who scoffed at the thought of judgment (2 Peter 3:1- 10). There will be a day of judgment and each person must decide for where they will spend eternity.
The decision whether to follow Jesus or not is so important for it has to do with eternal destiny. Not many people like to think of the alternative of heaven, but there is such a place hell does exist. The choice one makes will be shown in the road they take while in life. One road is easy to follow while the other takes careful attention. Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:13,14). Traveling the narrow road might be illustrated by thinking about the Panama Canal. Great ocean liners traverse the oceans of the world. When ships wish to go through the canal the captains must turn their vessels over the Canal Pilot to get safely through the locks of the canal. The canal locks are so narrow that sometimes only a few inches are between their destruction and their success.
If one truly desires to be with Jesus, they will think seriously about heaven. The Great “Pilot” has told mankind how to reach the shores of heaven.
All must obey the gospel and then live faithfully for God.
Paul gave instructions as to what should be the thinking of all who want to reach heaven.
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:1-4). Those who want to be with Jesus must obey His word.
Study the Bible, believe in Jesus that He is the Son of God, repent of sins, confess that Jesus is the Son of God, then be baptized for the remission of sin. After that live faithfully all the days of your life.