BEFORE YOU LEAVE EARTH: THE PROSPECTUS YOU CANNOT IGNORE PART 3: WHAT DOES THE PROSPECTUS REQUIRE?

BEFORE YOU LEAVE EARTH: THE PROSPECTUS YOU CANNOT IGNORE

PART 3: WHAT DOES THE PROSPECTUS REQUIRE?

MATTHEW 7:21 (NLT)

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”

In Part 1, we discovered that life has a destination beyond the grave.

Hebrews 9:27 tells us:

“And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.”

We learned that the Bible is like God's prospectus for earthly life and eternity.

In Part 2, we went one step further and asked:

Who wrote the prospectus?

We discovered that the Bible is not merely a collection of human opinions. It is God's inspired Word.

2 Timothy 3:16 says:

“All Scripture is inspired by God.”

If God is the Author, then His instructions deserve our attention.

But now comes the next important question:

What does the prospectus require?

Because having a prospectus is one thing.

Following its requirements is another.

THE PROSPECTUS IS NOT JUST FOR READING

Imagine a student who receives a school prospectus. He reads the school history. He admires the school motto. He knows the school colours. He even carries the prospectus everywhere.

But he refuses to follow the school's rules.

He does not attend classes. He ignores assignments. He refuses to obey school regulations. Can he honestly say he is living according to the prospectus?

No.

The prospectus was not given merely to be admired. It was given to be followed.

The same principle applies to God's Word.

Many people own Bibles.

Many can quote Scriptures.

Many attend church.

Many sing Christian songs.

But the question is:

Are we living according to the requirements of God's prospectus?

WHAT DOES GOD REQUIRE?

The Bible makes God's requirements clear. And one of the greatest mistakes we can make is to create our own requirements instead of accepting God's.

Some people think:

“I am a good person.”

Others say:

“I go to church.”

Others say:

“I give offerings.”

Others say:

“I was born into a Christian family.”

These things may have value, but they do not replace what God requires.

Jesus made it clear:

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” — Matthew 7:21

This means religious language is not the same as spiritual obedience.

REQUIREMENT 1: FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

The first and most important requirement is faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus did not come merely to improve our lives. He came to save us from sin and reconcile us to God.

John 14:6 says:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

The prospectus points us to a Person.

JESUS CHRIST.

You cannot talk seriously about eternal life while ignoring the One who gives eternal life.

REQUIREMENT 2: REPENTANCE

Faith in Christ produces a changed direction.

That is where repentance comes in.

Repentance means turning away from sin and turning toward God.

It is not simply saying:

“I am sorry.”

It is saying:

“I am changing direction.”

A person cannot deliberately hold on to sin while claiming to be following God's prospectus. The Word of God calls us to leave the old way and walk in God's way.

Repentance Is A Change Of Direction.

REQUIREMENT 3: OBEDIENCE

A prospectus becomes useful when its instructions are followed.

Jesus said:

“If you love me, obey my commandments.” — John 14:15

Notice the connection:

LOVE must lead to OBEDIENCE

Obedience does not mean we earn salvation by our works. Rather, genuine faith in Christ produces a life that desires to obey Him.

You cannot continually say:

“Lord, Lord,”

while deliberately rejecting what the Lord says.

REQUIREMENT 4: HOLINESS

God's prospectus also calls us to live differently.

1 Peter 1:15 says:

“But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.”

Holiness is not about pretending to be perfect. It is about belonging to God and allowing Him to transform our lives.

It affects:

Our Words.

Our Thoughts.

Our Relationships.

Our Money.

Our Sexuality.

Our Work.

Our Private Life.

Our Public Life.

The question is not:

“Can people see me?”

The question is:

“Does God see Christ being formed in me?”

REQUIREMENT 5: PERSEVERANCE

Following the prospectus is not a one-day assignment. It is a lifelong journey.

Jesus said:

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” — Matthew 24:13

There will be temptation.

There will be disappointment.

There will be pressure.

There will be seasons when obedience is difficult.

But God's Word calls us to keep going.

Starting Well Is Good.

Finishing Well Is Better.

THE DANGER OF SELECTIVE OBEDIENCE

There is something called selective obedience. It means obeying God when His instruction agrees with what we want and ignoring Him when it does not.

For example:

“I will forgive, but not that person.”

“I will be honest, except when telling the truth costs me money.”

“I will follow God, but I will choose my own relationships.”

“I will give God my Sundays, but not my private life.”

That is not complete obedience.

God's prospectus is not a menu where we select only what we like.

we don't edit God's requirements to fit our lifestyle. We allow God's Word to shape our lifestyle.

THE PROSPECTUS AND THE EXAMINATION

Every student knows that eventually there will be an examination.

The purpose of studying the prospectus and following the curriculum is preparation for what comes next. In the same way, life is preparing us for an appointment we cannot cancel. JUDGMENT.

Hebrews 9:27 reminds us:

“After that comes judgment.”

The question on that day will not simply be:

“did you own a bible?”

It will not simply be:

“Did you attend church?”

It will not simply be:

“Did you call yourself a Christian?”

The deeper question is:

“What Did You Do With What God Revealed To You?”

PRACTICAL LESSONS

1. DON'T CONFUSE INFORMATION WITH TRANSFORMATION.

Knowing God's Word is important, but God's Word must change how we live.

2. DON'T CREATE YOUR OWN VERSION OF CHRISTIANITY.

We don't decide what Christianity should look like. God's Word is the standard.

3. DON'T DELAY OBEDIENCE.

When God reveals something that needs to change, respond. Delayed obedience can become disobedience.

4. DON'T LIVE ONLY FOR EARTH.

Your career matters.

Your family matters.

Your dreams matter.

Your achievements matter.

But eternity matters most.

5. MAKE JESUS YOUR PRIORITY.

The prospectus ultimately leads us to Christ.

Know Him. Trust Him. Follow Him.

KEY TAKEAWAY

The Prospectus was not given just to inform you; it was given to prepare you.

God has not left humanity without direction.

He has revealed His truth.

He has shown us the way.

He has given us His Word.

And He has given us Jesus Christ.

The question is no longer:

“Has God given us the prospectus?”

The question is:

“Am I Following It?”

YOUR CALL TO ACTION

Before making your next major decision, ask:

“What Does God's Word Say?”

Before entering that relationship, ask:

“What Does God's Word Say?”

Before handling that money, ask:

“What Does God's Word Say?”

Before responding to that offence, ask:

“What Does God's Word Say?”

Before pursuing that dream, ask:

“What Does God's Word Say?”

And most importantly:

Before you leave earth, make sure you have responded to what God has written in his prospectus.

PRAYER

1. Lord, give me the grace to trust Jesus Christ completely as the way to eternal life.

2. Lord, give me a repentant heart that turns away from sin and turns toward You.

3. Lord, help me to obey Your Word even when obedience is difficult.

4. Lord, transform every area of my life and make me holy in my thoughts, words and actions.

5. Lord, help me to remain faithful until the end and finish my earthly journey well.

AMEN.

COMING NEXT: PART 4

PART 4: THOSE WHO IGNORE THE PROSPECTUS

What happens when a person receives the prospectus but refuses to follow it?

What are the consequences of ignoring God's instructions?

Why did Jesus speak about the broad road and the narrow road?

And what does the Bible reveal about Heaven, Hell, judgment, and eternity?

The prospectus gives instructions, but our response has consequences.

DON'T MISS PART 4.

Grace and peace be with you until we meet again in the next class of this life-transforming journey.

God is speaking, are you listening?

Prince Julius Nenebi-Darkson 

(EL-PJ God's Penman)