March 6
Words of warning
Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 (NKJV)
A study on eternity would be woefully incomplete without addressing the existence of Hell. “Did I just read that right? Do you really plan on addressing something so sensitive, so controversial, so politically incorrect as…Hell? Surely, you aren’t going to talk about that!”
If Jesus consistently talked about something, doesn’t it make sense that we should address it too? Does it come as a surprise that He raised this subject more than any other figure in the Bible? Why should we discuss things like Heaven, love, joy, and forgiveness but avoid discussing Hell?
We shouldn’t. We’re uncomfortable with this subject because nobody wants to think about a place of everlasting anguish. It’s more than our imaginations can handle. And yet, it’s something our Savior spoke on with great regularity. Why is that?
Jesus talked about Hell because He didn’t want anyone to experience it. His words on it were words of warning, and that’s the heart behind this devotional, as well. Whether we like it or not, the fact remains that Hell is a real place, and it’s a real consequence mankind faces apart from the forgiveness of sins that can only come through faith in Jesus.
We can’t ignore these realities. But we also can’t ignore the fact that when Jesus spoke about Hell, He didn’t just leave His listeners there. He connected it to His mission to seek and save the lost.
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:17 NKJV)
May that be our motivation, as well. May we be so concerned for the eternal well being of others that we share the way we should share, pray the way we should pray, and live the way we should live.
Think About It…
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
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