When you were born, you were destined for eternal life.  Forever.  The only question is:  "Where are you going to spend it?"  Animals don't have this problem.  They don't sin.  But humans, given any opportunity to do the wrong thing, seem to choose the wrong thing.   I had a youth teacher that I worked with for a number of years named Bill.  He taught senior boys, I taught senior girls.

Sometimes we met together.  Once, when he was teaching the combined group, he said:  "Guys, sin is fun for the moment.  If it wasn't, it wouldn't be any temptation at all.  Problem is, it kills you in the end."   He said that because of what God told us in Romans 6:23:  "For the wages of sin is death..."

We think of the word "wage" as money.  However, the interesting thing is, the word "wage" does not mean money at all.  It means script.  The Roman soldier was paid a wage--a script--that he couldn't spend.  He had to return to Rome to redeem it in cash.  So just like the soldier getting paid later for the work that he had already done, those who live in sin get paid later with death.

There was a preacher--Billy Sunday--who became famous for a sermon that he preached many, many times called, "Payday Someday."  Some people live their lives as if there is no tomorrow, but there will be.  Payday Someday.  It's coming.

So God devised a plan to take up habitation within us--liked he planned to do when he created Adam.  His plan was to cleanse us from our individual sins by paying for them Himself.  As a sacrifice for sin.  Now, when we allow Him to come live within us, he cleanses us.  The rest of that verse from Romans says: "...but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

What a deal.  God lives within me now.  Guiding my choices.  Reminding me of his will for my life.
And I am assured of life forever with him, and all my loved ones who have accepted Him.

I'll tell you the truth, it is such a peaceful way to live.  Peace with God that passes all understanding.