The Smartest Decision You'll Ever Make

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

-- John 11:25-26

Let's say you're planning a big purchase. Maybe it's for a new car, a smartphone, an appliance--or even a Caribbean cruise. Whatever it is, you have a decision to make. And there are so many options to consider.

The Internet is probably your next stop. With just a few taps on the screen, you're sure to find several websites featuring helpful consumer information about virtually anything. And some sites even have product reviews from the experts. For example, if you'd like to compare a Nikon camera's white balance and exposure compensation ratings with similar Canon and Sony models, that's all just a click or two away. 

On the other hand, many of the best product websites feature comments from actual purchasers. Their observations can be particularly helpful because they tend to cover the pros and cons without the manufacturer's marketing spin and hype. That glossy brochure might rave about a fancy laptop's speed and design. But if a few product owners report that it's prone to system crashes and viruses, you'll probably look for a better option. The lesson here is that taking advice from the folks who know can help you avoid costly mistakes.

If that's true for a mundane microwave oven or an SUV, how much more does it hold for things of eternal significance--like the existence of heaven and hell? If heaven exists, how can you get there? And what's the surefire way to avoid hell?

Ask 20 random people these same questions, and you'll likely get a variety of answers. But our Creator doesn't want us to be confused. In fact, he personally came to earth through his Son, Jesus, to both live a perfect life and teach us how to live. Several people who traveled with Jesus throughout his 3-year ministry wrote about their personal experiences with him--and how Christ really is who he claims to be. They personally witnessed his miracles and saw him raise people from the dead, heal the lame and give sight to the blind.

Luke, the physician who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, also wanted the real scoop about the Savior. That's why he interviewed the people who knew Jesus best and could attest to his reality. Let's consider the opening lines of Luke's first book:

"Many people have tried to tell the story of what God has done among us. They wrote what we had been told by the ones who were there in the beginning and saw what happened. So I made a careful study of everything and then decided to write and tell you exactly what took place. ... I have done this to let you know the truth about what you have heard."

The Apostle Peter also reassured some of the faith's earliest believers with his own testimony:

"When we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were not telling just clever stories that someone invented," he reported. "But we saw the greatness of Jesus with our own eyes."

Do you ever wonder if you can believe what's in the Bible? Is all that stuff about Jesus rising from the dead really true? And if it is, how should it make a difference in the way you live? 

Those are vitally important questions. So why not avoid a costly mistake: Take it from the folks who witnessed it first-hand and wrote about their experiences: the authors of the Gospels.

It's the smartest decision you'll ever make.