Do You Have Your Cake?

by Baruch Okpulor
baruchmails@gmail.com
www.lulu.com/spotlight/barock

From observation, cake is a thing liked and used universally and most people love to eat it.
During wedding, birthday ceremonies and anniversary, cake is usually shared among the invitees.
But God has a divine cake for everyone who lives on earth irrespective of tribe, race, colour of skin, language and cultural, social, academic, financial and family background.

This cake is the gift of salvation which has been made available to every person-man and woman in the world.

You Are Built to Last Forever

The major difference between man and other created things is the reality that man lives forever. Man has soul and spirit which do not die. At death, the body goes back to the dust where it came from while the spirit goes back to God.

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it” Ecclesiastes 12:7

God reveals that man will face judgement after death according his works while on earth. The basis of judgement is absolutely man’s works on earth.

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it….
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before the God and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
An whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” Revelation 20: 11-15

This bizarre revelation on what awaits man on the judgement day prompted God to design the scheme for redeeming the soul of man and sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, the Christ, to perfect this plan as He died on the cross for the sins of man (John 3:16).

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life”

The emphasis in John 3:16 is on “whosoever believes” and “everlasting life.” God doesn’t create a person He hates because his love leaves no choice. He is the God of all mankind.

Jesus Christ, as a way to reveal a glimpse of life after death, just before judgement, presented the case of Lazarus and the Rich man-two dead men who once lived on this earth.

“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day.
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate full of sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died and was buried;
And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments……and cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame” Luke 16:20-24

The rich man was not condemned because he was rich but because he didn’t serve God in his days. If you are not a child of God, you are taking the most unsecured risk ever taken by man. You are exposing your soul to the dangers of hell.

You can’t escape it for God is not a respecter of person or a taker of bribe.
He demands that you receive the good news about the death, burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, believe it, decide to drop every sin in your life through repentance, confess your faith in Christ and be buried with Him in the water of baptism and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

“Now when they heard this [that Jesus whom they crucified has become their Lord and Savior], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do?
Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”
Acts 2:37-38

As long as you have not given your life to Christ by following these steps to salvation, your sins live in you and it is these sins that would condemn you on the judgement day (Galatians 5:19-21).
Remember that it is only when you are saved that your name will be written in the book of life.

Everyone must face the judgement of God for He is the God of justice. No one can avoid it. Everyone must face God’s judgement even the devil, demons and disobedient angels.
Those who believe in God and those who do not must be judged by Him. It doesn’t matter what you worship now or believe in. It doesn’t matter if you do not believe in heaven and hell. You have the grace of God to repent and seek God while you are alive. Such grace is automatically removed at death.

“For the living know that they shall die but the dead…. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave where you go” Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10

The Rich man pleaded that Lazarus be sent from the dead to warn his five brothers to seek God while they are alive so that they will not be condemned like him but such request was turned down (Luke 16:28-30).
Abraham reminded him that they have the messengers of God to hear the Word. This same Word is what you are hearing now and will have no excuse for not submitting and serving God while you are alive.

A life without Christ is a precarious life. It is hopeless and helpless. It is meant to end in hell fire. It is reserved for the second death.
Now as you read these lines, why would you not become a child of God? Why would you not be born again and inherit the banquet in heaven?
God is telling you, “If you hear my voice today, do not harden your heart.”
Why must you spend eternity in torment in hell instead of bliss with God? God’s arms are open now, calling and waiting for you. Don’t keep Him waiting too long before it becomes late for death is a thief.
I employ you to seek where the Church of Christ meets and declare your allegiance for God today.