And what about those who never by faith and repentance come to know Jesus Christ? The horrible reality is eternal separation from God...the horrible reality is Hell. God's word is not ambiguous nor silent regarding Hell, its reality, and its attributes.
How then should we respond? How should the reality of Hell impact our daily lives?
First I believe that it ought to cause a follower of Christ to fall on their face before Almighty God and give Him thanks realizing that it is only because of His grace and mercy that we do not incur His wrath and judgment. Read Ephesians 2:1-22.
Secondly, it ought to lead every follower of Jesus to approach life and the Gospel with great urgency. We can never forget the reality of Hell.
Listen to this quote from John Piper in his book, "Brothers, We are Not Professionals"
"Brothers, you have heard it said, "Do not think such negative thoughts, do not preach such negative things, do not look back. Speak of the blessed love of God and look to the new creation." But I say to you, on the authority of Scripture, remember, remember, remember the horrid condition of being separated from Christ, without hope and without God, on the brink of hell. "Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12)
If I do not believe in my heart these awful truths--believe them so that they are real in my feelings--then the blessed love of God in Christ will scarcely shine at all. The sweetness of the air of redemption will be hardly detectable. The infinite marvel of my new life will be commonplace. The wonder that to me, a child of hell, all things are given for an inheritance will not strike me speechless with trembling and humility and lowly gratitude. The whole affair of salvation will seem ho-hum, and my entrance into paradise will seem as a matter of course. When the heart no longer feels the truth of hell, the gospel passes from good news to simply news. The intensity of joy is blunted and the heart-spring of love is dried up."
May the reality of hell and the glory of heaven permeate our thoughts so that we seek to further the Kingdom of Jesus Christ with the greatest sense of urgency.
Invite your friends and family this weekend to our Easter services (7:00 pm Saturday, and 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 on Sunday)! See you then.
WT
1 comment:
KK, if you are reading the BLOG, "Happy Birthday - late."
Wed night at the GIC opening ceremonies, I was in awe over the great attendance, music, our M's, and was just overcome with tears. Our church needed this spark to get up and be revived. I believe the days are numbered and the time is now to realize that someone sitting next to you in a restaurant, could be heading to hell, and we can not even speak up and give directions to the eternal everlasting life. Myself included.
Every Sunday, I can not wait to enter the sanctuary and worship, and praise our Creator, our God. I don't want to wait until I enter Heaven to worship. I want to worship Him now!
So, church, let's enter into His presence this Sunday and worship Him like there is no tomorrow.
Be revived!
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