Most of us are aware that there are many other beliefs in the world besides Christian. It is estimated that there are roughly 4,200 religions in the world. And like Christianity, most of these alternative religions also believe that they alone display the true path to immortality. In all likelihood, most of these religions also acknowledge the existence of a higher power.

Christianity, in general, believes in one God as the creator of all things and all life forms. Christianity is based on the person of Jesus as the Son of God and the ultimate avenue to existence after physical death. “No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Elsewhere in the Bible we find the message “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

These two profound verses might appear to be in conflict.

If God so loves the world, how can He demand Christian devotion as a condition for everlasting life? Would a loving God turn His back on His other children?

Once again, we need to step back from our limited view and recognize that we have little knowledge or understanding of the spiritual realm we call “heaven.” Are there different levels of the spiritual realm? Is there such a thing as purgatory? Are there stops along the way between life on earth and continuing existence in the spiritual realm?

Profound questions, but the bottom line is that we are ill prepared to judge God’s design. As mortals, we have neither the knowledge, understanding or frame of reference to grasp the reality of existence after physical death.

So, the question remains. What happens to non-believers after death? It is a particularly painful question to Christian believers who lose a loved one who has lived as a non-believer.

Many years ago, I had the opportunity to console a pastor whose son had committed suicide by sitting in a car, parked in a garage, with the engine running. His death was not immediate. He lingered in a coma for a few days. During that time, my wife and I visited his room in the hospital. Although unconscious, he did react to my wife’s voice.

When the pastor expressed his distress that his son had died without accepting Jesus, I suggested that, although unable to communicate with us, his son could still have communicated with and accepted God and Jesus before his spirit left his body. In other words, God could have granted one last chance. I told him that his son’s reaction to a familiar voice gave me hope that, even though unconscious, there was a trace of mental activity that could mean the ability to communicate with God.

The pastor was comfortable with that possibility. It gave him what he needed – hope.

In reflecting on that incident, we might consider the possibility that God, in His mercy, allows non-believers the opportunity to reconsider their allegiance in that moment. Does that conflict with the Christian message? Or, does it suggest that a merciful and all-knowing God provides an escape plan for the thousands of people who have never been exposed to the Christian message?

It is also a ray of hope for those of us who struggle with our faith. Maybe we too can hope for a second chance.