If you died tonight...

Lots of you will know the punchline of this evangelistic tag-line... Would you go to heaven?

I heard it said at the scripture seminar i was at last week and read the same question on a church noticeboard (not a church i am connected with).

I always feel uncomfortable with this line.

First, it makes people think of their own death. Not a feel good moment for anyone.

Second, it sends the message that the good news of Jesus is like an insurance policy, cashed in at death. Useful for a later time.

The gospel is more than that. Following Jesus, and the eternal life that it brings, kicks in from the moment you believe, not just when you kick-the-bucket.

I think that this is a more effective evangelistic pitch, especially to those who (probably) have many more years of living to do.