Introduction
On its most desperate days, the heart of man longs to escape and find solace outside of its vault and latitude. The compelling and emotional rendition of the song “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men highlights an essential slice of life pertinent to all people: the grueling pain of loss, but more significantly, in the most lonely and tragic moments, the search for hope in God. The image of One Sweet Day is that of an eternal, peaceful, safehouse, heaven! The loveliness of heaven’s description as “sweet” presents the impression that heaven is real and attractive, gives hope to a despondent world, and is attainable to all who desire it.
Reality versus belief
When we lose loved ones, we experience a roller coaster of emotions and they are always the same for all of us. That death is unexpected is indisputable. Still, many take life for granted and live recklessly while holding on to the false hope of a positive outcome. While this song uplifts and encourages us, it misleads its audience into the assumption that all our loved ones are in heaven and we will reunite “one sweet day.” Of course, this is an uncomplicated stance to adopt; it may even be a coping mechanism that gives the bereaved a sense of security and peace.
Yet, the Gospel’s defining text, John 3:16, tells us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus reveals in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Here, the conditions of eternal life were issued for humanity. Wherever you search in the Bible, it is always consistent – society can only find heaven and eternity through Jesus Christ.
Salvation
Salvation is unmasked as a direct link to eternity. The Apostle John recounts Jesus’ words to us, “…for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” Acts 16:31 underlines that belief in Jesus is the path to salvation. Salvation is the conviction that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that He came to earth, died, and arose from the dead by the power of Almighty God to give humanity eternal life, the hope of heaven.
God’s Word hits the benchmark on matters of the end; it trumps our opinions, assumptions, and perspectives because regardless of what we think, His Word is truth. Christ tells His followers, “if you abide in my word…you will know the truth…” (John 8:21-32). The Apostle John exclaimed, “…your word is truth” (John 4:24), the psalmist David petitioned the Lord to “walk in your truth” (Psalm 86:11). In Proverbs 30:5, the Bible articulates, “Every word of God proves true…” John 1:17 confidently declares, “…truth came through Jesus Christ.”
While humanity relies on its biased and flawed ideas, unchecked emotions, experiences, and dangerous relationships, people are heading to eternal destruction. The Bible expresses that people die because of a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). A more realistic approach is to depend on the efficacy and authoritative posture of the Word of God. He is perfect, all knowledgeable, good, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, and infinite (Psalm 18; 30; James 1:5; Psalm 145:9; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 1;8; Colossians 1:17-18; Psalm 147:5). David was resolute in his beliefs because his confidence was in a Superior and Unequalled Force, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7).
Goodness
In humanity’s attempt to get to “one sweet day” lies a mistaken assumption that “good people” are always in heaven. This perspective is erroneous from the onset because of the various notions of good that clutter society. However, we should note that whatever we classify as “good,” the Master has declared that no one is good except God (Mark 10:18). This belief finds solidarity in Jeremiah 17:9, which tells us that human hearts are wicked, deceitful, and unreliable. Our personal experiences will confirm this judgment; if we do not subdue our passions, our lives will spiral out of control.
The point is clarified; the perception of “good” is irrelevant in its applicability to finding heaven. Instead, the Bible tells us we receive grace because we believe in Christ, not because of the “good” things we have done (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are incapable of saving ourselves; our “goodness” is inadequate. Salvation is a gift from God that we did not deserve, so we humbly accept it and live in God’s purpose.
Society must abandon its erratic perspectives and refuse to be deluded about one of the most critical issues of life, death. Choose to rely on the integrity of God’s Word. Choose reality instead of your capricious beliefs.
Hope in a despondent world
When crises appear, we search for support and strength; most people look to something higher and more significant than themselves. At this moment, they realize that material possessions, fame, success, and accomplishments, are no match for death. When we face loss, we learn how close death comes to our doorways and that it will be ours to meet one day. The Bible tells us that we all have an appointment with death (Hebrews 9:27). Still, when grief and sadness diminish, many carry on casually until the next tragedy strikes.
Grief reminds us that relationships build our lives and prove civilizations’ relational nature. We were made in the image and likeness of a relational God. Our consolation is that our friends and loved ones who we cherish dearly are in a safe place, heaven. We long for heaven without internalizing that paradise begins on earth. However, instilling hope in oneself by entertaining the idea that our deceased friends are in safe hands is only a fleeting comfort devoid of certainty and reason.
The only evidence we have of who makes heaven a permanent home is recorded in Romans 14:8, “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord…” Here, heaven is promised only to those who live for Christ, but those who do not will be eternally destroyed. John 3:26 details, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
The Christian hope is that absence from earth implies presence with God in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8). The Christian stance is that to die in Christ is a benefit incomparable to life on earth, as the Apostle Paul verifies, “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far…” (Philippians 1:23).
Christians are distinguished from the rest of the world, not only by lifestyle but also in death. Though our feelings resonate with humanity, we do not respond in the same way. Christians believe that their loved ones who have died in Christ will rise upon His return, and together with those who remain, will be caught up in the clouds to be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). What a captivating scene! Regrettably, non-believers hold on to a delicate rope that will surely let them go unless there’s an intervention.
Heaven is attainable
When we encounter death, we are surmounted by anxieties that provoke us to scrutinize and reconsider our attitudes, values, and lifestyles. No matter who you are, you experience regret, separation, disbelief, shock, and instability. We all want assurance of the safety of our loved ones’ souls, prayer, strength, and a chance to reunite.
The lyrics in this song become relevant as it expresses humanity’s cry when faced with its ultimate fear, death. We identify with the words; “And I know you’re shining down on me from heaven, Like so many friends we’ve lost along the way, And I know eventually we’ll be together, One sweet day.” We enjoy the melody and feel relief, but does this merely portray an illusion? Is this enough to get you to this perfect, sweet place? Are words without actions ever sufficient? What do they prove?
The Bible assures us that God has prepared a place for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9). The God of truth convinces us with this contemplative question, “if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2). This place is as transparent as glass and pure as gold (Revelation 21:21-25). It is eternal, peaceful, and new (Revelation 21: 1-5). Here, righteous people will worship God in white robes, and they will be imperishable (Revelation 7:13; 2 Corinthians 15:52). People will see the face of God, and His name will be on their foreheads (Revelation 22:1-5). There will be no night or darkness, but God’s glory will shine a light forever.
Take the gift!
Like all gifts, heaven is free, but to possess it, you must reach out. We must understand that we are sinful by nature, but Christ’s sacrifice offered a solution to take away our sins and give us a chance to live forever. We need to ask God for forgiveness and have faith in Him to save us. A relationship with Christ purifies us, but it is only through faith humanity can be saved. When we die, we do not magically show up in heaven; we must prepare to get there. You can do this by asking Christ to come into your life; believe in Him and allow Him to guide you and open the door to paradise before you.
Conclusion
When we look around us, one thing that connects humans is death – rich or poor, educated, or uneducated, famous, or unknown; death comes swiftly and surely. Are you prepared? Our feelings, emotions, and thoughts during our lives’ tragedies are all the same, but our destinations are not. Heaven is available to all, but all will not go there. Take action to achieve outcomes; believe in Christ, defeat death, and make heaven your eternal residence. Refuse to be deluded but anchor your soul to this hope, this life, and this peace.