Seems to the be theme of Christianity today (or at least for what passes as Christianity).
There are certain dark subjects that we don't speak of.
We don't want to upset people.
We don't want to frighten them.
We don't want to make them run away.
Gee! I think I read somewhere "You will know the truth and the truth shall set/make you free."
But there are certain topics that have now slid to the back burner of teaching in the church.
Sin being one.
Don't tell people they are sinners. They already know this. True....it's hard to not know that you are born under and in sins curse. The idea is that by talking about sin, we will make people uncomfortable and maybe even hurt their feelings. We will make them feel excluded and not a part, so let's not openly refer to sin. Instead, lets talk about God's love. True...God does love and God is love....but he is also just. Part of his justice is that a payment be made for sin. Since sin is against an eternal God, then the punishment for sin is an eternal punishment. That being the case, there isn't anyone on this planet who can meet the requirements to free us from this punishment. With this thought we are faced with the cold hard facts that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Since there is this falling short, isn't there a consolation prize? I mean, come on, we are human after all.....
Well there is a prize.
It's not so much a prize as it is something that we earn for ourselves.
"For the wages of sin is death."
O.k......
We are all going to die.
True.
We are.
But this is a 2nd death. 2nd death? Yes.
Receiving the wages we earned puts us in a place outside of God's presence. Separated from Him and from his blessings and plans.
What place? Why hell of course.
Track a little farther in Romans and you'll read where the "Gift of God is eternal life IN Christ Jesus our Lord." Interesting thought. We earn the 2nd death and, consequently hell...but we receive a gift when we turn life and care over to God. Notice what that verse from Romans said...."The Gift Of God!". Not the gift from God. God gives Himself to us. Jesus opened the door for us to have this new live, God places His Holy Spirit in each person who does turn to Him. Don't fully understand how this happens....I just know it does.
Well, back to hell as we continue on. I have heard more than my fair share proclaim (proudly too) "I don't believe in hell!"
Hell does not need your belief to exist, and your disbelief doesn't make it one degree cooler.
In Mark Chapter 9, Jesus says the same phrase three times.
"Where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched."
This phrase is spoken in reference to the reward for those who enter hell. Those whose sin is not forgiven.
Jesus says, "It is better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell-fire where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched."
John Wesley, the great Methodist founder, spoke on these verses from Mark Chapter 9.
"The punishment of loss -- this commences in that very moment wherein the soul is separated from the body. In that instant, the soul loses all those pleasures, the enjoyment of which depends on the outward senses. The smell, the taste, the touch, delight no more. The organs that ministered to them are spoiled, and the objects that used to gratify them are removed far away. In the dreary regions of the dead all these things are forgotten or, if remembered, are only remembered with pain seeing them gone forever. All the pleasures of the imagination are at an end. There is no grandeur in the infernal regions. There is nothing beautiful in those dark abodes----no light but that of livid flames. And nothing new, but one unvaried scene of horror upon horror! There is no music but that of groans and shrieks--- of weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. Of curses and blasphemies against God. Those who find themselves in such a place are totally separated from all the things they were fond of in this present world. All the pleasure they ever enjoyed is lost, gone, vanished away."
Like I said at the very beginning of this post, to speak of such things as hell and sin are not very in vogue today.
You may be angry at what I have written. I write not from someone who thinks himself better than or outside of the topic. I, like John Newton, author of AMAZING GRACE, know only two things.............I am a great sinner............and He is a great God.
Don't let the words of this post fall on deaf ears or hard hearts.
Let God's Holy Spirit show you truth.
If you aren't saved..........pray. Now!
Confess your sins..........own them........be responsible and ask God to forgive you.
Receive this forgiveness and by faith believe that Jesus is Lord. That He is who He says He is and that He will save those from hell who reach out to Him.
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