OK, it's time for some serious talk. Remember the compulsory talk you had with your kids about the 'birds and the bees'? It was a killer, but it had to be done. So here's another 'hot' topic... hell.
Watch this video The Bible makes over 150 references to a real hell; Jesus often talked about it. Our doctrinal statements validate it, but do we really believe in it? After all, talking about an eternal place of separation from God is a very uncomfortable subject.
When you hear about the reality of hell, do you discount the messenger and label the message as radical or imbalanced? Or are you challenged to be more intentional about sharing your faith with those who do not know Jesus? We tend to avoid that which makes us uncomfortable: writing our own wills, getting regular physical check-ups, talking about death, or sharing our faith. But thinking about hell is something we should never avoid, because souls are at stake.
Thinking about hell actually motivates us to share our faith with more urgency. In fact, General William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army, was quoted as wishing that everyone could dangle over hell for one hour, held only by a single thread, for then we would live differently.
Statistics tell us that around 87.5% of Americans believe in heaven, but only 74.6% believe in hell (Word Press poll). But I'm guessing that the people who believe in the existence of a real Biblical hell are a lot less. Why? It's simple. Our actions sometimes defy our doctrine. For instance, what if our neighbor's house were on fire and we knew we should save them, but we didn't. Every second someone dies and a soul goes into eternity. And every month that we live without sharing our faith reinforces our denial of an eternity that includes both heaven and hell.
If you knew your unsaved friend would certainly die in 24 hours, wouldn't you at least try to lead them to the cross of Christ? (Hint: Our answer to this question helps us know what we really believe.) Wouldn't a doctor be held liable if he knew you had cancer and didn't tell you? How would you feel? Questions like these help us know what we confess to believe.
Here's the point. Jesus told us that our world is suffering from a terminal disease... sin. He has entrusted us as His followers with an assignment to lovingly warn the world about the effects of its sin. But His command goes unfulfilled when we choose to be silent. I, myself, am ashamed to know how many opportunities I have intentionally missed. Thank God for His grace in helping me become a more effective and intentional witness.
It's time we begin to take action on our beliefs.
It's time to cherish each of our days as a gift best lived for God and for others.
It's time to celebrate Easter everyday by telling others how Jesus has changed our lives.
It's time to make hell mad ...and heaven glad!
Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org
P.S. General William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army, was quoted as wishing that everyone could dangle over hell for one hour, held only by a single thread, for then we would live differently. Perhaps this powerful video on a man's journey to hell and back will have a similar effect. It's called "23 minutes in Hell"
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