Tuesday, June 08, 2010

"I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, that he may warn them, lest they also come to this torment." Luke 16


"In imagination--I pray it may be only in imagination--I see some of you die unsaved; and I see you as you pass into the next world unpardoned, and your soul realize, for the first time, what was the experience of the rich man, of whom the Savior said, "In hell he lifted up his eyes"--as though he had been asleep before and had only just awakened to his true condition. "He lifted up his eyes" and gazed all around, but he could see nothing except that which caused him dismay and horror; there was no trace of joy or hope, no trace of ease or peace. Then, through the awful gloom, there came the sound of such questions as these: "Where are you, sinner? You were in a house of prayer a few weeks ago, and the preacher urged you to seek the Lord; but you procrastinated. Where are you now? You said that there was no such place as hell; but what do you say about it now? Where are you? You despised heaven and refused Christ; where are you now?" The Lord in mercy preserve all of you from that!" -Charles Haddon Spurgeon


I'm of the mind that we, humans, do not really believe we deserve hell. I know I don't. At times I feel so undeserving of Jesus' love. Bu this is different than feeling I am deserving of hell, and eternal torment. But the Bible plainly teachings this scary truth, doesn't it.

The Holy Spirit has a way of pricking our conscience, and showing us how unworthy we are, and He can reveal the truth of hell to us. And the Holy Spirit has a way to comfort our convictions in the love and grace of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Friend, less we despair and be overwhelmed and discouraged.
Yet, we must let our minds ponder the horror of hell and God's judgment. Not linger there, but to understand the reality of hell is essential.


[Lazarus and the Rich Man, 17th century--Unknown artist]

3 comments:

Craver Vii said...

That is an interesting distinction to point out... what we deserve and what we don't. Those very words have come off my lips quite easily, perhaps glibly. It is something to think about.

Sandman, I think you would have loved this past week's Sunday School class. We were talking about heresies and councils regarding the nature of Christ. Great stuff!

mommanator said...

great thoughts to ponder
So many of my contempories just plain think they have an easy pass to heaven! but many have not asked for forgiveness for themselves. I am almost in constant for these beloved friends of mine. Ya know the old saying you can lead a horse to water, but can't mak ehim drink. That is what I feel like, but I still plant seeds when I can!

donsands said...

Thanks Craver.

Planting seeds is what we do sister. Keep planting them.