If you’re reading this, rejoice! You made it through Christmas again and the Lord has given you another day to serve Him!
A dangerous myth believed by some professing Christians and many in the public at large is that there is no Hell. In our culture, we have been deceived into thinking of Hell as a bad word rather than a horrifying place created by God for the punishment of the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41) Many believe that God is good and therefore He would never send anyone to eternal punishment. Nor would He ever create such a horrible place as Hell. The idea of Hell is not comfortable so many choose not to think about it. They choose instead blissful ignorance.
Here’s the danger of this myth: Believing something does not exist or choosing not to think about it does not make it go away!
How nonsensical would it be to have a law and no consequence? It would be silly for a police officer to apprehend a bank robber just to tell him there is no punishment for robbing banks and let him go free. If there is a law, there must be a corresponding punishment. Otherwise, the law is senseless and useless.
God has given us His moral law, (the Ten Commandments), and He has specified the punishment for transgressing His Law. The soul that sins, it shall die. (Ezekiel 18:4) The wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23) If God is willing to subject the rebellious angels to the punishment of Hell, He will certainly subject rebellious people to the same. (2 Peter 2:4-9)
The Ultimate Judge of Creation has publicized His Law to all humanity by writing it on every person’s heart. (Romans 2:15) That’s why our conscience bothers us when we lie, steal, dishonor our parents or break any of the other Commandments. Every person, especially me, except Jesus of Nazareth, has rebelled against the God of the Bible and failed to obey His Law. Therefore, we are all guilty of crimes against our Creator, the Ultimate Judge.
The Ultimate Judge has the power and authority to sentence us to whatever He chooses as the ultimate punishment for transgression of His Law. According to the Bible, the just, ultimate punishment chosen for those who have rebelled against the Ultimate Judge without trusting Jesus Christ and turning from and forsaking their sins is eternal, conscious, painful, sorrowful burning in Hell (Luke 16:19-31 & Mark 9:48); a destruction that lasts for eternity. (2 Thessalonians 1:9)
As you go and share your faith in Christ, you can avoid the pitfall of failing to talk about eternal punishment in Hell by simply opening your mouth and warning someone of their sinful condition and the punishment they face. Difficult? Yes, but we have been commanded to do it, (Matthew 28:19-20), and the Lord will help you because it conforms to His will.
You are normal if you have difficulty saying the word Hell. It’s like swimming against the cultural tide. Try saying it in private. Get used to hearing the word come out of your mouth and then it will be easier to say in public where it really counts. Remember, Hell is not a bad word, it’s a bad place. People must be warned of God’s wrath and His ultimate punishment of all those who fail to obey the gospel.
So go, stand and speak to people as a herald of the King of kings and as an occupying soldier for the Lord Jesus Christ! May God bless and guide you as you go!
