Preacher Feature: Have you invested in afterlife insurance?
"What is covered in the plan?"
This is a question asked by us when considering any type of insurance policy. Not long ago I received an updated plan book from my health insurance company. It was several pages long and, not having a medical background, I really couldn't understand some of the terminology. From what I could tell, though, it seems that I have benefits for various health issues I may face.
If you think about it, God's plan of Salvation also has benefits once one makes the decision to give his/her life over to Jesus Christ. The "plan document" is the Bible. As I read Romans 5:1-11, I see some of the benefits of being a Christian clearly outlined. Even better, these benefits can be used without worry about a deductible or a co-pay.
The first benefit is having peace with God. A person can never attain peace until the sin debt is paid. Sin causes a barrier between us and our Heavenly Father. Admitting we have sinned, believing in what Jesus did on the Cross of Calvary, and confessing Him as our Lord and Savior eliminates that sin barrier. We are all stricken with sin-sickness, but God's plan has us covered for that illness. The cost of the cure was God's only begotten Son.
Next, we have the benefit of having access to God. Can you imagine having 24/7 and 365-day access to your primary care physician? As good as our local doctors are, they would probably be hesitant to give every one of their patients their private cellphone number for us to call anytime we had something from a headache to a simple question. God, however, is on call continually. When we are upset, have a problem, or a question at 3 a.m. He is there to answer the call. God's system is better than telehealth as we don't even have to remember a phone number!
Possibly the most valuable benefit is that we will be saved from God's wrath. We are all facing an end. Our life here on Earth will either end at our physical death or at the rapture of the church. Christians will be saved from God's destruction of this Earth as described in the Book of Revelation. I purchased Life Flight insurance for my family in the event of a catastrophic event. The Bible tells us the Earth is going to suffer a catastrophic event in what may be the not too distant future. If you have given your life over to Jesus Christ, you have Life Flight insurance. You are going to leave this Earth and you won't even need a helicopter to get you to your next destination!
You are probably covered by all kinds of insurance. You may have property insurance, auto insurance, health insurance, and life insurance. You are probably somewhat familiar with the costs, conditions and benefits of each plan. You selected those products because you were seeking some security for what may happen in the future. I pray that you never have to utilize any of the benefits of those plans.
You have covered your bases in this life, but what about the life that is to come? Have you invested in after life insurance? I would invite you to consider the ultimate plan of security. You can find it in God's Word. I think you will find the premium very competitive. Your Heavenly Father has already written the check. Jesus paid it all!
<i> Ernie Fowler is associate pastor of Pankeyville Baptist Church in Harrisburg.</i>