The Ultimate Question

In the radio series and the first novel, "The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy", a group of hyper-intelligent pan-dimensional beings demand to learn the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything Else from the supercomputer Deep Thought, specially built for this purpose. It takes Deep Thought ​7 1⁄2 million years to compute and check the answer, which turns out to be 42. The twist is that Deep Thought points out that the answer is meaningless because the beings who asked it never actually knew what the question really was . . . 

So here's a question, what if each one of us was immortal and at the conclusion of our finite period of time here on earth we move on to our infinite destination? Follow-up question, what would determine where we spend this eternity? 

I bet we would agree that no matter how much time, energy, sacrifice, and resources we spent on this question we would never exceed the depth and importance of our answer? Adding a layer of further complexity this question has a limited window of time in which it can be answered, because after our time here on earth is done, our freedom and ability to answer this question is gone. Forever. 

In 1 Corinthians 15:29 the apostle Paul addresses this very issue, "If this world is all there is, let's eat and drink and party all night because tomorrow we might die." Paul is agreeing with the culture of his time, (and our time) that if this world is all there is than why not spend it in pursuit of our own pleasures. 

But what if there is more to our existence? 

Let's see what Jesus says about this question:

• Jesus taught his followers about the reality and the importance of the world to come: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the ones who do the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21, ESV) Jesus also said that He was the only way any of us could gain access to Heaven. "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

• Jesus went into more detail with the following parable, "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field." (Matthew 13: 44) Nothing in this life is of greater importance than accepting the gift of salvation offered by Jesus Christ. 

• Finally, Jesus asked this question, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, but lose his soul?" (Mark 8:36) You are a eternal being living in a finite body. Don't choose this fallen world over the paradise to come. 

Look, it is easy to forget about the fact that this life is a temporary reality. We can lose track of our true reality just by taking a vacation! Then add in the fact that we have an enemy who is working hard to blind us from the eternal and keep us focused on the temporary. So what is the question that we have to answer correctly?

"Is Jesus Christ Lord of my life?" 

This is the only question that you and I have to get right during our time here on earth. We can make a multitude of mistakes, hurt those we love, even bring ruin to our own existence, but God's grace will still be available for everyone who asks for forgiveness and accepts the Lordship of Jesus Christ in their life.

His love for us is not dependent on what we do, it is dependent on what He did. At the cross Jesus Christ died and was punished for our sins, even though He lived a sinless life. But He laid down His life for us so that we might have eternal freedom through a restored relationship with God. 

If you are not yet a Christ follower, I pray that you will experience the fullness of knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior before you die. He loves you, He died for your sins, He longs to forgive you and restore you to the person He created you to be. His grace is available for all who call on Him, and His desire is to see everyone saved! 

If you would like to learn more about how you can follow Jesus, click HERE.