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            Every soul on earth can be divided into two classes—those who depend on human efforts, human plans, and human power; and those who depend on God and divine power for everything needed or desired in life.

            Jesus gave a profound statement that encompasses the destiny and welfare of the human race.  He said John 6:63 “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing”—meaning anything we did according to human plans or power would yield no profit whatever, but would result in much harm since self and Satan would have control of our life.

            The end result would be eternal death and suffering in the Lake of Fire, because what we sow, we are sure to reap Galatians 6:7, 8a “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

            It makes no difference if it is a good self-effort or a bad one; if self and Satan have a foothold in our life when we leave this world, we will go to the Lake of Fire.  If there is any dependence on human plans or power for what we want, need, or have in this life, we will end in the flames.

            We must know what takes people to Hell; and must know what takes people to Heaven—it is all connected to the Word.  Galatians 6:8b “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”  No one can afford to do one thing; take one step; or to say one word outside of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus said John 16:13 “When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.”

            The apostle said Colossians 3:17 “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”  Anything we did in deed or whatever we said in word, we were to do it in dependence upon the power of God, on the merit of Jesus’ shed Blood, and by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

            We can consider ourselves very fortunate if we know the characteristics of those controlled by Satan and self; and those controlled by God and His Spirit.  Anyone who depends on human plans or power for what they want in life, are controlled by the devil—it is the only plan or power they know.

            The apostle wrote that Romans 8:7 “The carnal mind [controlled by self and following human plans] is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God [or Word of God], neither indeed can be.”  If they still live according to the flesh, and still have the sinful nature in their heart, they are not pleasing to God—Romans 8:8 “They that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

            He also wrote Romans 8:6a “To be carnally minded [or be controlled by self and Satan] is death.”  Every moment, death hovers over them; always overshadowing them every day.  They walk in spiritual darkness and in the shadow of death.  They may not know it, but they have no assurance of protection, and could lose their life in a moment.

            Romans 8:6b “But to be spiritually minded [or have the Holy Spirit in control] is life and peace”—that is the characteristic of being under the power of God’s Spirit.  That type of person will always go to God’s Word; read what it says to do in every situation, and follow the directions as written.

            The Holy Spirit always leads us to a place of trust on the living God.  He will inspire us to depend on God alone for everything we desire—spiritually; healing of the body; for our family; work issues; and accepting God’s financial plan of trust.

            All those in the Bible who had the Holy Spirit gladly accepted God’s financial plan.  After receiving the Holy Spirit, they voluntarily and gladly sold their property, and gave the proceeds to the poor—just as Jesus taught; Mark 10:21 “go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor;” Luke 12:33 “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old”—it shows the importance of receiving the Holy Spirit.

            The author of the book Life of Trust had more spiritual light than any of his day—he had learned to trust God financially.  When the author was nearing the end of his life, some friends of his got together and formed a financial plan for his retirement.  They collected thousands of English pounds to invest for his support in his later years.

            They said to him, “You have devoted your life to God’s service; you have given away all the money you received to support orphaned children.  You spent everything on others, so we believe you deserve a reward for doing that; therefore, we are prepared to invest this sum of money that will keep you well into your later years.”

            As good as it sounded to the natural mind, it was a snare of the devil to the spiritual mind.  It was a trick to allow someone else to save up money for us.  The truth is, if an angel from Heaven would lay up money for us to live on when we had no income, we would land in the flames if we let them do it.  God does not allow anyone to put aside one penny on earth for the future.

            So, the author of the book, after thanking these kind gentlemen for their thoughtfulness and generosity, gave them a very scriptural reply.  He said, “The God I have been serving and trusting all of these years, and who supplied all my needs all my life to this point, is not the kind of God who will desert one of His children in their old age.”

            That response was inspired by the Holy Spirit.  The author took that position of trust so he would always have the privilege of trusting God to supply his needs.  It was so spiritually valuable to him to be able to trust God all those early years, that he would certainly not allow anyone to deprive him of that blessed privilege during the last years of his life.  He graciously and flatly rejected their offer.

            Let us review the important characteristics of divine trust, so we will not be led astray by well-intended but unenlightened individuals—people who are just acting according to the power that is in control of them.  If the devil has a dominating influence over someone, they will always depend on something human for what is needed or desired in life.

            The most important thing in the world is to be ready for Eternal Life.  It can take much time to be taught and prepared by God, so we cannot afford to waste one minute.  We truly cannot imagine an eternity of anguish—suffering that will last forever and ever with no relief—only an increase of torture and never-ending despair.

            We must squarely face the facts of the matter—living this life dominated by self and Satan, means an eternity in the Lake of Fire—that will be the end result!  The other place is opposite—Heaven.  We can only imagine the glory, happiness, and splendor of it—enjoying the presence of God Himself and Jesus Christ our Savior forever and ever.  What a marvelous proposal!

            If we are not prepared; if we have not allowed God to teach and develop us, we would go to the Lake of Fire and be there forever!  If we have not learned to trust God alone for our spiritual life; for physical healing; for our home and family; and for our financial support, we would not be ready to stand before Jesus and would not enter Heaven—we have to know that!

            If there is anything in the world that we need to know the truth about, it is the qualifications for entering Heaven—what is the Bible Standard for Eternal Life!  Also, what is the attitude that takes people to the Lake of Fire—that must be known as well!

            We must be entirely rid of self and Satan; we must be perfected in our trust on God and our obedience to His Word.  It is what the Bible teaches Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21—that we are to be led out of every dependence upon human plans or power—both of which are of the devil.  Instead, we are to be led to a place where all our dependence is on God—where we would give our life rather than trust in anything or anyone besides God.

            The author would have given up his life rather than accept the laid-up money they wanted to give him for an old-age pension.  It is the only scriptural position for a real Christian to take—where we would rather die than disobey God’s Word.  That is the standard for Eternal Life—it is most valuable and important to know this.

            There are millions of people who say they are following Jesus—thinking they are packed up and ready for Heaven—but who will go to the Lake of Fire, if this Bible is true—which it is!  And they will wait for loved ones to follow them to that horrible place.  Far too many are preached into Heaven, but will land in the Lake of Fire—that is a most serious situation, but true, because the Bible is true.

            Three times Jesus plainly said Luke 14:26 “If any man come to me, and hate not his”—naming closest relatives—“and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple”—that means to hate the self-life or attitude of the world; Luke 14:27; 33.

            The standard for Eternal Life is given in many Bible examples—we are most fortunate to have these written out for us, so we thank God and give Him all the glory.  King Nebuchadnezzar was succeeded by a grandson, Belshazzar, who gave a huge feast for thousands of his officials.  They brought out the golden vessels that had been taken from the temple in Jerusalem and they used them for this heathen banquet.

            While they were drinking wine and praising false gods, there Daniel 5:5 “came forth fingers of a man's hand” to write on the wall.  Daniel 5:6 “The king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.”

            No one could interpret the writing, but Daniel who served the living God.  The king wanted to reward him, but Daniel said Daniel 5:17 “Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another.”  Daniel told Belshazzar that he knew of his grandfather’s experience, but in spite of this, Daniel 5:22 thou “hast not humbled thine heart.”  The king had neglected every opportunity God gave him to repent and turn back.  This hand was sent from God.

            Daniel 5:25-28 “This is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN; 26 This is what these words mean: Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.  27 Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. 28 Parsin: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

            Sincere repentance and a full surrender to the will and Word of God is the Bible Standard for Eternal Life—Belteshazzar did not measure up to that standard.