Steve Lyston | Where will you spend your eternity?

As we celebrate the Easter season, it is critical for each person to reflect on the reason Christ went to the cross. He went for the purpose of saving souls.

Regardless of our opinions, each person will one day have to give account for his or her soul. In the same way man implements credit score systems to monitor people's financial transactions to determine whether they qualify for various benefits and transactions, there is a spiritual credit score for everything each person carries out in the earthly realm. Even Christians - whether they make it into heaven or not - they are accountable for their actions, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5: 9 - 10; Romans 14: 10).

What is your spiritual credit score? Each person is accountable to God, and we are each responsible for what we do in this life to qualify for a reward, whether good or bad.

When we stand before the Supreme Judge, who is Almighty God, His verdict will not be based on anybody's testimony, political affiliations, which fraternal, civic organisation or church you are a member of, or how much money you have, or whether or not you are on the Forbes list. Neither will it matter whether or not you are part of the two per cent that holds the majority of the monetary wealth. What will the verdict be for you? Is your soul ready to meet your maker?

Mankind was created to worship and to serve God and God alone, but many of us have allowed the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life to corrupt us and take us out of fellowship with God. Many in society - rich or poor - may have big plans, goals and objectives in pursuit of material power; and many have become so wicked in seeking power and wealth. They will murder, kill, hire to kill, refuse to show mercy and compassion, pervert justice and the truth for their own benefit, thinking they will get away. However, they will still have to answer for their actions.

Your soul is important

It is critical for one to know that one's life does not consist of the abundance of what one possesses. We must always lay up treasures in Heaven. One must always be rich towards God, as we can carry nothing from this earth into the next life. Your soul is the number one priority in this life. Many times, people have plans for expansion and we will talk about what economic plans are in place and the goals for 2030. However, what if God requires your soul tonight, or tomorrow? What will be your verdict and where will you spend your eternity. Matthew 16: 26 says: "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

We know sex sells, stocks sell, fake news sells, sin sells. But the number one investment is the investment in your soul. Economists and accountants will tell you that one will have profits and losses every year - whether it be on Wall Street, your business, or in your personal finances, but the greatest loss occurs when one loses his or her soul.

God does not need closed-circuit TV or biometric devices to keep tabs on each of us; everything is seen by Him at all times. Many are busy in establishing earthly legacies and honours on earth - having places named after them and so on, but it means nothing if you have lost your soul.

What is your performance evaluation score? Did you use the talents that God has given you to make even one person's life better - profitable and fruitful?

The life span of every individual is fixed by God. However, it can be cut short or prolonged depending on our choices. The idea is that when life is over, each should accomplish what God intended (Job 14: 1 - 6; Job 12: 10).

As we reflect during this Easter season, know that you have a hope to spend eternity with your maker.