St Paul continues in Romans to warn us of the result of living as slaves to sin. Giving in to impure desires and actions and living in lawlessness. St Paul is direct and clear. The result is sin leads to death. Not eternal life with God. But eternity apart from God who is love.
It is a mistake many people make when they say God decides who goes to heaven or hell. For it is actually the person who decides to live for Christ. To live as children of God. To choose God in this life. Or the person decides to choose sin, immorality and rejects God in this life.
We choose our destination when we choose to live with God as a stranger or compartmentalized apart from our work, family, actions and words. We choose.
When we leave this life, many people see it as a moment when we face Jesus our judge. And he decides what will happen to us as if we had no say in it at all. But the truth is it is all our decision.
Think about that. God has always loved us like his only child. Jesus loved each of us so much he died for us. He has sent a guardian angel to be with us every day. He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, his spirit, so we would have his direction. He has given us Mary to be our mother always.
God has always chosen us. Sought us out. He is standing by right now waiting for us to ask him to be part of our life. For our God truly gave us free will. Even in grave matters like whether we will accept and invite him into our life.
No, the only one making a decision or choosing where we end up is us. We decide.
If the Father is our friend and close to us in this life, he will greet us in the next as family.
If Jesus is our Lord and brother we are grateful for, in this life, and He walks with us each day, our meeting him in heaven is only a moment we greet a dear loved one.
If the Holy Spirit has been with us and in us in this life, he will be with us as we find ourselves facing Jesus when we arrive. And all the people we loved and helped and encouraged and gave a part of ourselves to in this life will be standing there to greet us.
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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