Continuing Pastor Kyle’s message: Sadly, many will look at God’s free gift offer for salvation in the face and will say, “No, thanks. That’s not for me.” Or say, “I don’t buy it. I want to live life my way. I determine right and wrong for my life and God has no authority over me.” Yet, there is a literal, physical place called Hell. It is not popular to talk about in the culture today, but it is reality and the eternal destiny of all unsaved sinners who reject God’s love in Christ, where they are in eternal torment, with weeping and gnashing of teeth in pain. There is a “Judgment Day” coming. Revelation 20:10-15 shows us that “the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and him [Jesus] who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
The existence of a literal Hell affirms that the just and holy Creator justly punishes sin and the devil; God would be not holy and unjust to not punish sin. But, Hell also afforms the love of God’s love of the world because God actually does send anyone to Hell. God is the One who loves us despite of who we are, what we did in sin, and yet extends His gracious hand of salvation to everyone. He did everything already. All we have to do is to say, “Hell no” and “yes” to Jesus. If people reject that offer, then that decision is on them. They send themselves to Hell. Their rejection of God and His offer of salvation is not on God. In 2 Peter 3:9, we are told, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” God weeps over the lost and Christians should too. This fact should motivate the Christian church body to fulfill the Great Commission and bring the Gospel to a lost and dying world to save as many as possible by leading lost sinners to the foot of the Cross for salvation.
God accepts any repentant sinner, regardless of background and past inequities. All they have to do is say “Yes” and accept the free gift of Salvation in the blessed exchange in Jesus Christ. Jesus paid for all sin (past, present and future). Come as you are, because God love the “present-tense” you. He is not waiting for some future version of yourself, He loves you where you are today. Align you will with God’s will for experiencing God’s highest blessings, so walk in the Spirit and actively seek God. (2) God has blessings beyond belief in store for true Believers. The important thing is that authentic Christians know that we are called to the authority of God and His standards, teaching, statutes and commands in Holy Scripture of the Bible. God judges people’s heart, we proclaim the Gospel. Live the blessed life that God has called you to live, committed to Jesus and tell others about God’s love in Christ. Be obedient and reap the reward that come from that obedient walk. Unbelievers are going to want what you have, that they do not possess – the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control). It is the call of the Believer to walk in the good plan and purpose that God has laid out for them.
Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
God has goodness in store for all, but only those who are actively seeking God walk that path of experiences God’s highest blessings. What might be the highest blessings in a Believer’s life? An example is Supernatural wisdom. God loves to impart wisdom to the maturing and growing Christian. James 1:5 says to the children of God, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Knowledge is some facts that is stored in your brain and wisdom is knowing what you need to do with that knowledge and how to apply in your life. Another example is unexpected gifts from God. James 1:17tells us that, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” Life will throw us obstacles along the path, but God will throw us many blessings in our walk with the Lord.
Let's conclude PAstor Kyle's message on God's truth and love in the next post. I
n Christ, Brian
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