The opening words of a nation’s founding document give you a clear sense of the tone and direction of that nation’s life. The Constitution of the United States famously – and very intentionally – begins with the words, ‘We the people…’ And without reading anything else in the document, one can tell that this will be a nation where the people rule supreme – this will be a land of democracy.

There’s a phrase that came into fashion in the late 1800s: “That’s the gospel truth!” This idiom was originally used centuries earlier in reference to Biblical truths. Since the 1800s, it has taken on a broader meaning to encompass all matters of indisputable truth.

Imagine that you decide you want to get in shape and lose a pound or two. You buy into a dieting program – a book or an app – and you learn all about it. You become so convinced of its merits that you join social media groups for this plan and tell everyone about it. Although you claim this diet has revolutionized your life, your friends notice that it looks like the extra pounds haven’t gone anywhere – maybe one or two have actually been added.

Take a moment and travel in your imagination to the end of time—to the great day of judgment. The record books are open and you are standing before God the judge. Imagine that God says to you, ‘Why should I spare you hell and welcome you to heaven? Why should I give you life and not death?” What would be your answer to that question?

Life can indeed be a perilous journey. John Newton’s famous hymn, “Amazing Grace”, speaks of "dangers, toils and snares" that he experienced firsthand. On one occasion, he was thrown from a horse, narrowly missing impalement on a row of sharp stakes.