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Written by a valued member of the team: I’ve been wanting to broadcast to the ends of the earth, the following. But before I do I must confess my current state of affairs. I have definitely been sanctimonious and self righteous as so many of us well intending so called christians have been. I know I continue to slip into this most ungodly attitude more often than I’d like to admit
I also am not currently and have not, for quite a long time, experienced what many would describe as success in life. In short, I have a lot of issues. So, without further ado, I’d like to share with you some things that have weighed very heavy on my heart for quite a while. I passionately claim to be a christian. But I quickly add that there are many who claim to be a christian who don’t have a clue what a christian is. Here I am sounding/being extremely self righteous and sanctimonious. Please consider that I may not be completely wrong. When I have the opportunity to bring up the subject of religion/church/god . . ., many people quickly share that they believe in god. Here’s the kicker. When I ask them what they believe about hell, most people say they do not believe in a literal hell. Now what do I mean by literal hell? Well, to begin with it's not simply an imaginary place. I am amazed at the number of people who claim to be preachers who refuse to talk about or more likely do not believe in hell. Yet they talk about the bible all the time as if it is their all time favorite book. So, what does the bible say about hell. Or is the bible not credible, or is only part of it credible? Just for the sake of trying to tie everything together in a way that makes sense, let's say that the bible is credible. Of course you can always argue that nothing has to make sense. Many people seem to like this approach. Please stop reading if this is you, because I desperately want this to make sense. So what does the bible say? Well, very briefly and frankly, it says that it is fire and brimstone, unimaginable torment, inescapable, unending, unchanging. So what’s the big deal. Hell sc1hmell. Well for me, and some others, the concern has been how do I not go there. Of course, this concern has arisen because of the direct teaching of the bible that people go there. If the bible is not credible, were all off the hook. No problem. But my friends, if it is credible, we certainly have something to think about. At this point many people have checked out. All of the other religious options just got a lot more appealing. And of course there are the really tough people who dismiss any and all religious/spiritual element. If you are still with me, you either are enjoying what you conclude to be total stupidity or perhaps, just perhaps God is calling you. Well, what to do, what to do. The gospel, ooooooh, there’s a religious term. The gospel simply states that all are bound for hell and may escape only through God’s provision. Kinda paradoxical. God provides a way of escape from His judgement. Hm, interesting. I think many who are reading this have already heard this several times. If you have never been drawn I don’t think you ever will be. But who knows, maybe. Anyway, the gospel is very simple. God created us, we fell/sinned, He died and rose again to rescue us. Pretty simple. Reject this and you will be summarily sent to hell upon your death. If you want to know more about God, read what He wrote. Thinking He is a little presumptuous will quickly abate as you learn of the creator/redeemer. I know this note seems a little sarcastic/jaded. Please forgive my tone. I’m tired of people avoiding the truth about hell. None of us would ever want anyone to ever go there. We must stop being afraid to proclaim the whole Gospel. Jesus did not suffer and die a horrible death to save us from some slight punishment. His death saved us from eternal, hell, fire, damnation. Would we deal with God if hell were not a reality? I’m sure there are many that would say yes. I would probably not have given God the time of day. Guess that makes me pretty bad. As I have gotten to know God through His Word, I have come to know that He loves me and all of us. I have kind of gone from fear of hell to thank you Lord for loving me. Hell is an integral/essential non-negotiable part of the gospel. Stop leaving it out. No one can come to Christ without it!
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Editing credits by Joel Barrios I Corinthians 15 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. Revelation 1:17-18 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys to of Death and Hades. Jesus had to live a perfect life so he can die on the cross for our sins. Then, He rose from the dead to conquer death for us and to prove that He is God. He didn't have to do any of this. He did it because of His great love for us! The perfect life, death, and resurrection are central to our faith. We as humans sin against an infinite God and therefore have to be punished infinitely, according to God's justice. However, God in His infinite love and mercy for us; saved us from eternal Hell. Jesus became human, lived perfectly and received the infinite wrath we deserve on the cross. In addition, If He didn't rise from the dead, then sin and death would not have been conquered and we would still be guilty sinners. He saved us and sealed it by rising again. Only an infinite God could pay the infinite price, and conquer it by resurrecting from the dead. If He didn't rise, death would still own us. Jesus died on the cross so that we may return to the Father by believing in the Gospel of Christ. Then, we become innocent in God's eyes and can rise from the dead to go to Heaven. If we give our life to Jesus, we receive Him inside, and become new creations, and walk Holy lives with our loving master, and when we die, we rise from the dead and go to Heaven because Jesus paid the price and conquered death and Hell. I Corinthians 15:12-13 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. Hebrews 3 How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Glory awaits us if we repent and give our lives to Jesus because of the resurrection we have hope of a glorious eternity with the God who loves us and gave Himself for us. II Peter 1:16-17 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” Further encouragement: II Peter 1: For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Have a Godly Great Day! |
AuthorJoseph Zeiss, servant of The King Archives
May 2021
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