Rev. Mike Sager
Faith Church, Austin

Years ago, before I became a pastor, I worked for a major financial firm in Seattle. I know how important it is for people to find a “good” investment.  Asking the right questions is crucial:

• What will I need in the future to live securely? 

• What kind of things can I invest in now? 

• How sure are these? (i.e., What are the risks?) 

• How much will it cost to invest now? 

•What could be the cost if I don’t invest now? 

These are all good questions to ask, not only for making financial choices, but for making some other significant decisions as well.

Let me mention an even more vital area to consider.  Life itself.  Spiritual life.  What about the future?  How are you investing for eternity?  The fact is that all of us will eventually face the end of our physical lives and more critically, what lies beyond.  We’d better give that some thought.  As one man put it, “You’re going to be dead a lot longer than you’re going to be alive.”  So to speak.

Jesus put it this way, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?  Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Good questions.

Do you want a great tip for an eternal investment?  A sure thing? Absolutely guaranteed?  I’ve got one for you. And it will safeguard you for all of eternity. Or, should I say, He will safeguard you for all of eternity.  I am talking about trusting in, investing in, Jesus Christ.

Let’s go back over some of those questions:

• What will you need to face the future – to be secure for eternity?

Righteousness.  Perfection.  That’s what God requires.  No one will enter His presence without it.  That’s not great news for us. We’re selfish, prideful, and we all fall short of that standard. We even have a saying, “Nobody’s perfect.”  Have you thought of the ramifications of that truth, in light of an eternal and holy God?

There is going to be a day of judgment for this life.  You and I will stand before the Almighty. Not only do we not have the righteousness He requires, we will face His punishment for our rebellion against Him.

There is another option. It is described in the Gospel.  Jesus (God, who became flesh) came to this planet to fulfill God’s righteousness. He was born without sin and lived a perfect life. He died a criminal’s death, not because He deserved it, but because all of humanity did. It was a substitute for you and me. He not only suffered the agony of crucifixion, but the Bible says He took on God’s wrath for the sins of mankind.  And to everyone who will believe in Him, that is, “entrust” themselves to Him, He will give the righteousness that God requires.

That’s the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. Every other religious figure of history (by their own admission) lacked the righteousness that God requires. You can’t offer something to someone that you don’t possess.

• How sure is this?

Absolutely guaranteed.  How do you know?  Look at the person of Jesus Christ, His life, death, and His  resurrection.

Every spring Christians all over the world celebrate Easter.  We celebrate God’s demonstration of the reality of Jesus Christ and His message. He conquered death. He conquered sin.  He came that we might have life, and have it abundantly.  It’s because of the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that you and I can be absolutely convinced that God’s offer is a sure thing.

• What will it cost to invest now?

That’s the incredible thing.  God has already paid the premium.  He gave His Son, so that all who trust in Him can experience the life He has promised. What He requires of us is to follow Him. To trust Him with our very lives.  That’s why He’s given us His word, the Bible. We can know the Truth, and Jesus said that will mean true freedom.

• What could be the cost if you don’t invest now? 

You’ll face eternity on your own, without hope.  You’ll miss out on the most significant thing there is:  eternal life, which is a personal relationship with the living God.

You see, this investment is not simply for the future, but also for today.  You begin receiving dividends immediately.  Through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ we gain God’s perspective on life.  He enables us to deal with all of the other things we face in this uncertain world of ours.  And even though we don’t know what the future holds, we can know the One who holds the future.  Putting your life in His hands is a wise investment, the best one you can make.
The Rev. Mike Sager is the senior pastor at Faith Church,  1800 12th St. SW, Austin. Visit its webpage at www.faithchurchausting.org.

An invitation to Austin area churches: The Austin Daily Herald will publish a column each Friday from area ministery. Churches interested in joining the rotation should contact Managing Editor Christopher Baldus at chris.baldus@austindailyherald.com or 507-434-2235