The Real Reason People Go To Hell

It is often said that people go to hell because they do not put their faith in God and believe in the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. 

Christians say this to non-believers and non-believers use that as an excuse to why Christianity is unfair. They say things like, “I’m a good person and just because I don’t believe in God you tell me I have to go to hell?”

There is major folly in this argument. 

Because while people are saved by faith in Christ Jesus through His sacrifice on the cross. 

People do NOT go to hell for their lack of faith. 

People go to hell because they’re sinners and deserve punishment. 

We must make this clear.

Why?

Because people don’t understand the seriousness of their sin, people don’t understand the weight of their sin.

People don’t understand how pure and holy God is. He is a righteous and fair judge, therefore sin must be atoned for. 

If someone rejects Jesus’ atonement for their sins than they must pay themselves because that is what a good judge does. 

A good judge doesn’t say, “Well even though you committed this crime or wronged this person you seem like a good person therefore I will let you go free without punishment.” 

That would be a bad judge, that would be unjust. A good and just judge must punish those who have done wrong.

Which we all have.

All of us our sinners. 

I am a sinner who deserves hell.

My faith is what saves me but my sin is what condemns me.

If you reject the truth of the Gospel you will go to hell for your sins.

Think of it this way.

If a car thief is offered a deal to plead guilty and avoid jail time but they reject the offer and are found guilty; They’re going to jail not because they turned down the plea deal, they’re going to jail because they’re a car thief.

If you reject Jesus’ payment for your sins you will go to hell for your sins.

Repent and Believe.

-Chris 

Forgiveness is Available For All Sinners

Throwback Thursday from May 2019. This is one of my more controversial posts, in that it attracted some angry attention in the comments. Two comments I had to delete due to profanity. Nevertheless it also received a lot more positivity. I’ve learned a lot about soteriology since I wrote this, so I may have worded a few things different to respect everyone’s theological beliefs but other than that I think the message holds.

The Good Word

I’ve heard many people ask a similar question that often times is hard to answer or even comprehend for some Christians. The question is usually along the lines of, “How can someone who is in jail who did terrible things and repented go to Heaven while I haven’t done horrible things will go to hell for not believing in God?”

For years I struggled with an answer to this question but God showed me the answer through scripture. The reason is that person in prison has now paid twice for their sins.

First through earthly consequences, the person committed crimes, was punished and served their sentence or is serving their sentence. That is their physical judgment.

But what remains is their spiritual judgment and when one truly accepts Jesus Christ as their savior, it is He, Jesus who took on their spiritual punishment. God will know if they truly are…

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Evangelism Part Three: The Christian’s Motivation

There is a question about Evangelism that should be addressed before we move forward. 

The question is, what is the motivation for Christians to evangelize?

There of course is many but to me there is three important motivations.

First and foremost, we are told by God to do so. We are called to preach the Gospel to all nations.

Second since we have established before that salvation comes through faith alone we must tell this to people.

No other “god” can save them, no good works, it doesn’t matter if you think you’re a good person. The only way to the Father is through Jesus Christ. The only way to be saved is through faith in God.

We as Christians know this so we must be motivated to urgently spread the Gospel. We must have a desire for others to be saved not just ourselves. So spread the Gospel no matter what. It will take sacrifice and dedication. You may lose friends, loved ones, money, pleasures, you may even risk your life but it is what we must do.

Think of it this way, if you were in a burning building and managed to escape and you knew it was the only way. It would be cruel to just walk away from the building and be content with yourself being saved. You  need to do everything in your power to show those in the building how to be saved from the fire. Some may resist, some may not believe you, some may attack you but in the end you have to try and get them out of the flames.

But evangelism is more urgent than a burning building that could kill your body. Eternity is on the line! Stay motivated.

Finally we pray that God’s Kingdom will come on Earth as it is in Heaven, well we must be the Kingdoms representatives on Earth in order to assist in bringing His Kingdom to Earth. 

He doesn’t need us to but He wants us to. He is our Lord, He is our King, He is our God.

So we must do what our Lord says.

Have a Blessed Week,

Chris

Video on motivation for evangelism:

Daily Bible Readings:
Monday – Job 42:1-6, 10-17

Tuesday – Psalm 34:1-8, 19-22

Wednesday – Hebrews 7:23-28

Thursday – Mark 10:46-52

When Someone Mocks God

I did it again.

I was reading a sad news story and decided to do the unwise thing of looking through the comment section. And naturally there began a chain comment mocking God.

This time it was an attack on prayer. The person said, “Instead of praying, why don’t you do something that works?”

A foolish statement.

I thank the Lord that He granted me the wisdom and the maturity not to respond. He helped me not to get upset and respond to this man’s comment. This man was trying to hurt believers and get them angry but instead of that he actually received many replies from Christians who did not respond with anger but instead corrected him with love. Hopefully some see the loving replies he received and realize the Light that comes from Christianity when someone tries to be hateful and dark.

When it comes to his effect on me he ended up inspiring me to write this blog so it appears his comments have done the opposite of what he intended.

One mistake people make is they act as if prayer is an “instead of” option. If a fire breaks out no Christian is saying pray only and don’t send the firemen. We are praying for the fireman and the victims of the fire. We are praying for strength, protection, comfort and guidance. We are praying to the Lord for help.

It’s a silly thing to mock, besides I’ve never heard someone say in response, “Thank you for mocking those who prayed.”

Instead you hear, “Thank you for all the thoughts, kind words and prayers.”

Prayers uplift a person, telling someone they’re being prayed for shows that people out there care.

So why do these people mock prayer?

Because if God isn’t guiding their heart, satan is, he knows the power of prayer and wants the believer to stop it and give up a crucial part of our relationship with God.

Truth is there wasn’t much of a point for me to respond to that man, he had taken it upon himself to ridicule those who did respond to him. In this moment his heart and mind are made up he was enjoying mocking Christians and God. Our brothers and sisters had planted a seed in his brain but by his own free will he rejects God and refuses to open his mind and heart to the Lord. Sadly he and others like him think these thoughts are their own but truth is they come from satan and they’re being used by him.

The skeptic presents an argument where they attack the effectiveness of prayer but no believer has a chance to win that argument. Because the skeptic has placed unreasonable demands on the believer.. They refuse to believe the testimony of the believer but they themselves cannot test the power of prayer because they lack faith, so therefore the argument by human standards in unwinnable. That doesn’t mean you should give up, talk to them and share your story, treat them with love. The argument possibly could be a pointless endeavor but your story is not.

God knows your story and wants you to tell it, He loves you and sees what you’re trying to do. Keep up the good work.

Now the skeptic may also bring up a time in which they did pray and the prayer supposedly wasn’t answered. But the truth is ALL prayers are answered. But sometimes the answer is “no” or maybe even “not yet.”

Just because you did not get what you asked for doesn’t mean your prayer was unanswered.

God is our Father and just like any good parent He doesn’t give His children everything they want.

God knows what is best and that is why we pray by God’s will not our own.

So that leads to the question what do you do with a person who mocks God and rejects the Gospel? Someone who refuses to have an open conversation and talk with you?

You do what they mock, you pray.

You pray and continue to be the light in the darkness.

Who knows that person might accept the Lord into their heart and they could be praying for you someday.

Wouldn’t that be something?

So how do we end this entry? What better way than the Lord’s Prayer…

Matthew 6:9-13 New King James Version (NKJV)

“9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

13 And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

[a]For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris

Sources:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A9-13&version=NKJV

The Narrow Path is the Right Path

The Narrow Path is narrow because there is only one way, Jesus.

Follow Him and it leads to Heaven.

Look at the alternatives they all come down to works. Make sure to do this, do that, follow this, follow that. And if you are good enough you may get into paradise.

Confusion, anxiety, depression and overall pain come on this path.

That path may seem broad with more opportunity but in reality that path is on shaky ground filled with bumps, holes, entrapments and along the way many, many snakes.

But God offers the narrow path, the straight path right to Him. Just follow the Lord.

If you went hiking and there were two paths one was narrow and led straight to where you were going and the other was filled with rough terrain where you had to find your way all on your own which would you chose?

Some may decide to take the rough road as they see it as a challenge. But when they arrive to their destination, dirty, tired, hurt which path do you think they will take back?

If they chose to go the same way back it would be quite foolish.

Unfortunately many take that path their whole lives and still believe it is easier.

But we know the truth, we know the way and we know the life.

And we will come to the Father through Him.

Have a Blessed Week,

Chris

Blessings Will Come

Remember God is always there.

Fear not He is with you in your suffering and anxiety, combat what is distressing you with the power of God.

Remember He will never forsake you.

Jesus told us our Father in Heaven values us more than the birds in the air who He provides for.

He also said He has a place prepared for us when we pass away.

God will take care of us on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Trust in Him, the blessings will come. You know this because He provided His grace so you’re already blessed!

Keep watch and look out the blessings can come from anywhere or from anyone.

The Lord will provide because He loves you.

Have a BLESSED week,
Chris

Forgiveness is Available For All Sinners

I’ve heard many people ask a similar question that often times is hard to answer or even comprehend for some Christians. The question is usually along the lines of, “How can someone who is in jail who did terrible things and repented go to Heaven while I haven’t done horrible things will go to hell for not believing in God?”

For years I struggled with an answer to this question but God showed me the answer through scripture. The reason is that person in prison has now paid twice for their sins.

First through earthly consequences, the person committed crimes, was punished and served their sentence or is serving their sentence. That is their physical judgment.

But what remains is their spiritual judgment and when one truly accepts Jesus Christ as their savior, it is He, Jesus who took on their spiritual punishment. God will know if they truly are remorseful and their repentance true, if God sees it as so then he will be forgiven.

So now that prisoner’s penalty has been paid on Earth and in Heaven.

Truth is we are all prisoners to sin and the only One who can change that is the Lord Almighty.

Some may say that it is unfair and I agree. But it is NOT unfair to you the person who rejects God.

It is unfair to God alone. We all don’t deserve salvation. It is a gift from God, if you reject it. You are choosing where you spend eternity.

I repeat YOU will chose where you spend eternity, so choose wisely.

Now a message to my Christian brothers and sisters, don’t blame others or worry about what others have done. Don’t focus on others sin remember what the Bible says.

Matthew 7:5, “5 You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Focus on how you can approve yourself in order to serve others.

Also I want to point out never think or tell someone who has gone to Hell, because the truth is you never know who spent their last moments confessing their sins to God.

We have the right to the Kingdom until our last dying breath.

Remember the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard…

20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius[a] for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went.

“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.

“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

That is a very powerful parable. We as Christians must remember this and just like the thief on the cross, salvation is available to the end.

Now back to those who haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior, you may think, “Oh okay, I have time then.”

That may be true but you never know when your time on Earth will end, don’t risk it. Let Jesus in to your heart today.

Have a blessed week

https://biblehub.com/matthew/7-5.htm

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20%3A1-16&version=NIV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A39-43&version=NASB

 

 

 

Choose Love, Not Hate

Anger, coldness, bitterness and an overall lack of empathy seems to be the norm in today’s culture. It is becoming increasingly hard as a Christian to handle these situations in a way God would want us to.

I think it is important when you see someone behaving angrily towards you or something or someone you love that you pity them rather than becoming angry towards them. Don’t behave the same way as they are.

Their behavior is toxic and they need to establish a relationship with God. Pray for them and try to help them, if they are unreachable remove yourself from the toxicity and continue to keep them in your prayers.

Remember they deserve forgiveness just as much as you do.

You may see some that behave that way in the church. They will shout and proclaim who is on the path to Hell, criticizing the sinners of the world. Or maybe speaking out against all those who are “back sliding” from the faith.

I’ve heard many times about how it is up to us to correct other brothers and sisters. That is true but many use God’s word as an excuse to be angry and hostile to others. Tearing others down in order to build themselves up.

Don’t take the Bible out of context in order to fit your own agenda. Even atheists do that. Know the meaning of the Word, not just the words of the Word.

Paul wrote to the church on how to handle believers who need correction. He told us to do so with love not anger and hostility.

Remember the story of the prodigal son, God wants us to come back to Him, He will wait with open arms and restore the person who has fallen away.

Don’t be the road block on the persons path back to his Father.

We as Christians cannot respond to sin with hate, we need to do so with love. Just as Jesus did.

I am of course not perfect, far from it. I have spoken negatively and had negative thoughts about certain people.

Sometimes I see people criticizing God or mocking Him and I get angry and I think about what is going to be their consequences for what they’re doing. It feels good for a moment but only a moment. Then I feel sorrowful for having those thoughts.

Jesus loves those who mock Him just as much as He loves us.

Don’t get angry or be afraid of those who lash out at you about your faith. Fear Who can destroy both body and the soul.

It breaks my heart knowing what awaits so many.

That is why it is so important to choose love over hate. Show God’s love through our actions to bring others to Christ.

Have a blessed week,
Chris

Does God Want To Bring Judgment?

Many think of God as this evil tyrant who can’t wait to bring judgment. But in Ezekiel 18:23 it says “²³ Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?”

This proves those views to be false. God only judges when He has to. The books of the prophets are filled with God’s warnings of incoming judgment. Why would He warn us if He was evil and wanted to bring judgment on us all.

All He asks is for His people to repent.

It’s been almost 2000 years since Jesus came to Earth, God has withheld judgment so that as many as possible in the World can be saved. With how far the gospel has spread and the availability of the Truth, God has every right to bring forth the end. But He waits.

And that is because He loves us all.

That is why it is so important for us Christians to not wish judgment on others. When someone has harmed us or has done evil things we shouldn’t delight in their coming judgment. We should feel sorrow for them. We should pity them.

Nothing they did can to others can equal what will happen to their soul if they don’t repent.

Show love to those people.

Pray for them to come to the Lord. Remember we are all guilty.

Jesus paid the penalty for us. Let’s pray that others allow Him to do so for them as well.

Have a blessed week,
Chris.

Sources:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+18%3A23%2CEzekiel+33%3A11&version=NKJV

 

God in three relationships: God the All-Powerful

This final entry in the God in Three Relationship series will discuss our relationship with God as God.

God is always there, He was, is and yet to come.

God created all and He loves us despite what we’ve done. The Father gave His Son Jesus because He loves the entire World, because He is the God of all.

God always provides, remember what Jesus said in Matthew 6:26-34 “26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one [a]cubit to his [b]stature?”

Jesus relied on the Father to provide, in the Lord’s prayer it is instructed for us to pray that God give us our daily bread. We need to trust that God will provide under any circumstances.

We can bring all of our worries to God. There is nothing too big for God, He created the entire Universe. There is also nothing too small for Him, remember the small moments Jesus had in the Bible, dinner with disciples, attending parties, He chatted with the Samaritan woman by the well, He wanted to save her individually. The little things matter to God just as much as the big.

You matter to God.

There is too much in the Bible for just one entry, it is filled with many miracles and amazing moments from God and in addition we have many testimonies both big and small from Christians on what God has done for them.

How great is our God?

The most important part of this series is God is God. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Our God is God to all, He is merciful and loving, and we will celebrate when we see Him. However others will mourn when they see Him because they rejected Him. Someday every knee shall bow whether willing or unwilling.

That is why it is so important to spread His love to the world and bring people to Him.

Have a blessed week,
-Chris

Sources:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A26-34&version=NKJV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+4&version=NIV

Song: