March 27, 2026

🌿 Living Water Vineyard Devotion

Friday — 10 Days Until Resurrection Sunday

“What Happens After This Life?”

📖 John 15:22 (NLT)

“If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty. But now they have no excuse for their sin.”

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I just want to take a few minutes today… and talk with you.

Yesterday, we talked about something really important—the value of life. That every life matters… from the womb… all the way to the end (Psalm 139:13–16).

And today, I just want to gently take the next step.

What happens after this life?

Because if life matters that much to God… then what comes after this life must matter too (Hebrews 9:27).

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This has been sitting with me this week.

I was talking with a friend recently, and he told me about something he had been listening to. And the idea was… maybe hell isn’t what we’ve been taught. Maybe it’s temporary. Maybe in the end… everyone is okay.

And I remember just sitting there…

not wanting to argue…

but feeling something inside me say:

That’s not what Jesus taught.

And here’s what’s been weighing on me:

👉 If Jesus is telling the truth about eternity… this changes everything about how we live right now.

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If we’re honest, this is where most people land today:

Everyone goes to heaven.

God is loving—He wouldn’t judge.

Only really bad people would be in trouble.

If you’re a decent person, you’re fine.

And I understand why people believe that.

It feels kind.

It feels fair.

It removes the tension.

But then there’s Jesus.

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Because Jesus doesn’t say those things.

He talks about judgment (John 16:8–11).

He talks about separation (Matthew 25:31–33).

He talks about a narrow road (Matthew 7:13–14).

He talks about not everyone entering (Matthew 7:21–23).

And in John 15, He gives us insight into why this is so hard to hear:

“If I had not come and spoken… they would not be guilty” (John 15:22).

👉 Jesus’ words don’t just comfort us… they reveal truth about us (John 3:19–20).

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Let me just say this honestly, as a pastor…

Part of me wishes the easier version was true.

That everyone would be okay.

That no one would be lost.

That there were no eternal consequences.

That comes from compassion.

But:

👉 Our compassion cannot override what Jesus actually said (Matthew 24:35).

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When you look at Jesus—not culture, not opinions—but Jesus Himself…

He speaks about judgment (John 5:28–29),

separation (Matthew 13:49–50),

outer darkness (Matthew 8:12),

weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:42),

eternal life and eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46).

And He doesn’t say it casually.

👉 He says it consistently.

👉 And He says it because He cares (Luke 19:41).

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Let me slow down here for a moment…

Because Jesus uses this phrase:

“weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

That’s not just poetic language.

That is:

   •   deep regret

   •   deep sorrow

   •   deep realization

👉 It is the realization… “I rejected Him.”

And here’s the part we don’t talk about much:

👉 Jesus never describes it as temporary.

📖 Matthew 25:46 — “eternal punishment”

📖 Mark 9:43–48 — “the fire is not quenched”

👉 There is no language of escape.

👉 There is no language of “getting out later.”

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And the Bible says something sobering:

📖 Hebrews 9:27 — we die once… and then comes judgment.

📖 Revelation 20:14–15 — this is called the second death.

👉 Everyone experiences the first death…

👉 Not everyone has to experience the second.

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And when Revelation describes those who are separated from God…

📖 Revelation 21:8

It lists different people…

but the first one mentioned is:

👉 the cowardly.

That’s not something we hear talked about much.

The cowardly.

Those who knew…

but didn’t stand.

Those who saw truth…

but stayed silent.

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And this is where it hits me personally…

Because it’s easy to point at other people’s sins.

It’s easy to say, “that person… that group…”

But if I’m honest:

👉 One of my biggest struggles is the fear of man.

Wanting to be liked.

Wanting to be accepted.

Wanting to not say something that might create tension.

👉 Wanting to live culture… instead of counter culture.

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But Jesus doesn’t leave me there.

👉 His words won’t let me stay there.

Because He says:

“Follow Me.”

Not culture.

Not comfort.

Not approval.

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And this is why this matters so much.

Because if what Jesus says is true…

then people we love…

people in our lives…

people in our city…

👉 are moving toward an eternal destination.

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And this is where the church becomes so important.

📖 Ephesians 3:10

👉 The mystery of the gospel is made known through the church.

Through us.

Through ordinary people…

who gather…

who worship…

who live differently…

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👉 We are called to be a light.

In our area.

In Fruitvale.

In Clifton.

👉 That people would know the truth.

Not in a harsh way.

But in a real way.

In a loving way.

In a clear way.

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Because Scripture also says:

📖 2 Peter 3:9

👉 God desires that none would perish.

That’s His heart.

Not judgment first—

👉 Rescue first.

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So let me just bring it back to something simple.

👉 Do I believe Jesus?

Because if I do…

it won’t make me harsh.

It will make me:

more compassionate (Colossians 3:12)

more prayerful (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

more aware (Ephesians 5:15–16)

more willing to speak when it matters (Colossians 4:5–6)

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This isn’t about fear.

👉 This is about love that tells the truth.

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Two Questions

1. Do I truly believe what Jesus says about eternity… or have I been shaped more by what culture says?

2. Where might fear of people be holding me back from living and speaking the truth in love?

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Prayer

Jesus,

Thank You for loving us enough to tell us the truth.

Even when it’s hard…

even when it stretches us…

You speak because You care.

And today, we don’t want to turn away from that.

We want to trust You.

Search our hearts (Psalm 139:23–24).

If there is fear in us…

if there is compromise in us…

show us.

And give us courage.

Not to be harsh…

but to be faithful.

Not to be loud…

but to be clear.

Not to push people away…

but to love them toward You.

Help us live awake.

Help us live counter culture.

Help us live for You.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.