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[Jesus said,] “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

Many people hope that, if God does exist, they will be able to live with him in heaven. Unfortunately for those who do not have faith in Jesus, this is a baseless hope that ends only in disaster. In contrast, Jesus helps us understand what it means to be alive to God. He also provides the assurance needed to know that we will live with him forever.

Jesus’ words appear to be challenging. He said, “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” There are two implications. The first is how God views those who die. When this life comes to an end, people don’t simply fade into nothingness. God still recognizes and preserves the soul. This leads to a second, and greater implication. How does that soul remain alive to God?

The answer is found in only one place and with only one person. In the Bible, God reveals the person to whom we need to hold. It is through Jesus and his precious work that we find confidence and are alive to God. In Jesus, we escape the justice of disobedience and are set free from the condemnation of sin. In Jesus, we are released from the sentence of God’s eternal punishment and declared not guilty. Our confidence comes as the result of Jesus’ blessed assurance. He promised, “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” (John 11:25-26).

It is only because of Jesus’ precious work and his never-failing promise that we have this confidence: “I am alive to God, and I will live with him forever.”

O gracious God, Lord of life and death, bless me with the gift of faith which not only takes hold of eternal life, but which also holds on to the source of that life—my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.