Kingdom Moments - September 26, 2011

Monday, September 26, 2011

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Is Hell A Real Place?

2 Peter 2:1-2, But there were false prophets, too, in those days, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly tell their lies about God, turning against even their Master who bought them; but theirs will be a swift and terrible end. Many will follow their evil teaching that there is nothing wrong with sexual sin. And because of them Christ and his way will be scoffed at. TLB

In Matthew 24, Jesus tells us to beware of false prophets in the last days. He also tells us that many will be deceived through the lies of these false teachers. Paul tells us in Ephesians 4: 4 - 6, There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. NKJV

Lately, we are hearing many voices on television and on the internet professing that there are many ways to heaven. But, according to the Word of God, there is only one God and only one way to God, and that is through faith in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son. Recently, I have heard of some "preachers" saying that hell wasn't real, or that there was no literal hell. They justified this on the premise that God is love, and a loving God would never subject a human being to an eternity of horrific suffering.

God didn't create evil, nor was He the originator of sin... as some would have you to believe. In chapter one, James tells us that God cannot be tempted with evil nor does He tempt anyone with sin, but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Therefore, sin exists because Satan came to Eve in the form of a serpent and seduced her to rebel against God's commandment, and she sinned. You see, we must know the truth if we're going to be able to overcome the deceptive ways of false teachers.

Now let's address the lie about "a loving God wouldn't send someone to hell." First of all, God won't send anyone to hell, but if we reject Jesus and refuse to confess our sins as sin, then our sin demands punishment. Here's the good news: when Adam and Eve chose to sin against God's will, and through that sin brought a curse upon all of mankind, God could have allowed us all to perish without a second chance, but He didn't. If you have sin in your life, then know that there is still hope. God is definitely the God of the Second Chance for those who call on His name, Jesus.
Is God a God of LOVE? Absolutely! Is God a God of justice? Absolutely! But, instead of demanding justice of fallen man, God sent His only begotten Son and poured His wrath upon Him for our sin. In John 3, he tells us that Jesus came into the world to save sinners, not to condemn them. Now tell me, does that sound like a God that would send you to hell? He allowed Jesus, who was innocent, to pay the price; then He forgave us, for Christ sake, who were guilty and allowed us to go free.

So what will happen to those who choose to reject the GIFT of the God of the Second Chance? Their sin and not God will condemn them to eternal punishment. Could they have avoided that punishment? Yes. Jesus took the sin of the entire world and for all generations upon Himself; yet, He was sinless. The price for our sin has been paid, but we must accept that free gift. If someone should choose to reject Jesus, the writer of Hebrews warns us that there is no other sacrifice.

So why does a preacher who preaches from the Word of God contradict the Word? Peter tells us why in today's passage. They will cleverly tell their lies about God, turning against even their Master who bought them; but theirs will be a swift and terrible end. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching that there is nothing wrong with sexual sin. And because of them Christ and his way will be scoffed at.

They have allowed sin to fill their hearts, and instead of confessing their sin as sin and repenting of it, they seek to justify their sin by perverting the truth that they, themselves, once believed in as teachers of Christ. Beware of false teachers that would try to seduce you away from the truth and corrupt your soul with falsehood. There is indeed a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. If you have sin in your life, today is the day of salvation. Simply call on Jesus, confess your sins, and ask for His forgiveness. He will cleanse you with His blood and fill your heart with His Holy Spirit, and you will live with Him forever and ever.

Hell Is Not My Home,
Pastor Asa