Tag: Hell

Devotionals

Free from Lawlessness

Loring Schultz

Read: Titus 2:11-15 NLT – For the grace of God has been revealed, – Bible Gateway

“who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” Titus 2:14 ESV

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Have you ever stopped and thanked the Lord for keeping you from lawlessness? You may think to yourself, I’m not that bad. I would never do anything against the law. The ESV translation uses the word ‘lawlessness.’ However, the KJV uses the word ‘iniquity.’ The NIV translation uses ‘wickedness’ and the NLT uses ‘every kind of (plain old) sin.’ Again, you may say, that’s not me, and I would agree. For a child of God, if you truly know the Lord, that is not you, or me. But it very well could be if Christ hadn’t redeemed us by His sacrifice on the cross and purified us for Himself.

But we all need to be careful in saying, ‘I’m not that bad,’ remembering what Romans 3:23 says, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (nlt) Falling short of God’s glorious standard is plain old sin and lawlessness in the eyes of God. There is no way to get around it. There are no big sins or little sins. All sin and lawlessness is the same with God. There may be different degrees, but it all falls short of God’s standard.

The penalty for sin and lawlessness is eternal death with Satan and his angels in hell separated from God. Accepting Christ as savior frees us not only from the lawlessness that we may participate in during our lives here on earth but frees us from the penalty of sin and lawlessness in eternity by accepting Christ as savior. So, have you thanked Him for keeping you from lawlessness, both in this life and in eternity? It’s something to think about.  

Devotionals

Fate of the Unsaved at Jesus’ Return  

Loring Schultz

Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10 NLT – Encouragement during Persecution – Dear – Bible Gateway

“They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.” 2 Thessalonians 1:9 NLT

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Christians around the world anxiously await the return of Jesus Christ. As sin runs its course and persecution is on the rise the thought of Christ’s return is a blessed hope for all believers. The apostle Paul writing to the church at Thessalonica encourages them of that future day as they were beginning to face persecution. He also commends them for their faithfulness and endurance in their persecution. Paul says God will use this persecution to show His justice and to make the church ready for His kingdom. “In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you.” (2Thess.1:6 nlt)

This brings us to the other side of the coin. While Christians look forward to the return of Christ and the blessings it brings, the unsaved in this world have no such hope or blessings that come with it. Paul lays out in graphic detail the fate of those without Christ when He returns. “And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.” (2Thess.1:7-9 nlt)

Ignoring God and refusing to recognize Him and His plan of salvation through His Son Jesus has fatal consequences. Should one be alive at the return of Christ and have not accepted Him, this will be your fate. If you pass into eternity before His return, your fate is the same, judgment with eternal destruction, not annihilation, but forever separated from God in hell. The return of Christ will be a glorious day to be sure, but not all will find it glorious. You don’t need to be one of those on that day. While there’s still time. accept Jesus as your personal savior before it’s too late.

Devotionals

Something to Talk About         

Loring Schultz

Read: Luke 16:19-31 NIV – The Rich Man and Lazarus – “There was – Bible Gateway

“In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’” Luke 16:23-24 NIV

Photo by Chris Barbalis on Unsplash

In presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ some advocate not mentioning ‘hell’ in fear of turning away people. Unfortunately even pastors in some of our most prominent churches will not preach on hell for the same reason. They would rather preach on the love of Jesus and for us to follow Jesus’ teaching on love, and well we should, but Jesus also taught about ‘hell.’ Jesus talked about hell to warn us the consequences of rejecting Him and the sacrifice He made for us on the cross of calvary.

Jesus tells a story found in the New Testament book of Luke about a rich man and the poor man, Lazarus. Most scholars consider this story one of Jesus’ parables, but if it is a parable, it is the only one He tells with an actual name of an individual. In any case, Jesus is clearly referring to hell in this story.

The rich man had all the comforts life could offer. He was rich, had fine clothing, and plenty of food, life was good. Lazarus was a poor beggar with sores covering his body. He would crave to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. One living in luxury and the other in dire poverty. Jesus says, “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.” (Lk.16:22-23 niv) Lazarus and the rich man both died physically, but their souls live on. Lazarus is in comfort at Abraham’s side while the rich man is suffering in torment.

Don’t miss the point here. The rich man isn’t in hell because he was rich, but because he rejected God and His plan for salvation. Lazarus isn’t alongside Abraham because he was poor in life, but because he accepted God’s plan of salvation. Jesus is confirming there are two destinations for each one of us when we die, heaven or hell. Jesus came to save us from the torments of hell if we put our trust in Him for salvation. Jesus felt it was important enough and something to talk about. We should too!

Devotionals

The Future Resurrection 

Loring Schultz

Read: John 5:25-29 NLT – “And I assure you that the time is – Bible Gateway

“Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.” Daniel 12:2 NLT

Photo by Brett Jordan on Pexels.com

The Bible speaks of a future resurrection of the dead in several places. Jesus, Himself referred to this in the gospel of John. “Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.” (Jn.5:28-29 nlt)

Jesus confirms there will a future resurrection of the dead. That includes everyone. Those who have died in the Lord and those unsaved at the time of their death. It is true that those in Christ at their death are in the presence of the Lord, and those outside of Christ are in eternal punishment. (Lk.16:23-24) But Scripture is clear, our physical bodies will be raised from the dead to face final judgement. This is not only a New Testament reference but is noted in the Old Testament as well. In Daniel chapter 12 it says, “Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.” (Dan.12:2 nlt) Sounds a lot like Jesus’ words.

So, in the future resurrection of the dead, what will be your status? Will you be granted eternal life with Christ or will you stand in judgement and be condemned for all eternity. You can be certain where you’ll stand, but you need to make that decision in this lifetime. There are no second chances at the future resurrection. Today is the day of salvation. “And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Rev.20:15 nlt)

Devotionals

Sheep and Goats-Faith and Works    

Loring Schultz

“He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.” Matthew 25:33 NLT

Photo by Elimende Inagella on Unsplash
 

Misinformation is a term that has received much recognition in recent years. Media outlets are quick to point out certain news stories are false or misleading to the public. News organizations are pitted against each other with the backing of their fact checkers to debunk a news story. There is plenty of misinformation in the news outlets of our day. But the most tragic source of misinformation are certain religious organizations, even some Christian churches, who insists your good works will get you into heaven and there is no hell to fear.

Matthew’s gospel is all about presenting Jesus as King to the Jewish people of his day. It is also relevant to all people in our day for Jesus is Lord and King. Jesus’ disciples questioned Him when the kingdom would come about. They were expecting it would be in their lifetime. Jesus’ answer to their question about His coming kingdom concludes the Olivet Discourse.

If anyone has doubts that Jesus is King, Jesus Himself makes clear His royalty and authority by saying, “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence.” (Mt.25:31-32a nlt) Jesus always referred to Himself as the Son of Man, and this Son of Man will sit upon His throne and all the nations will be called before Him, therefore Jesus is indeed the King. And there will be a great separation of those who believed in Jesus and those who have not. “He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.’ Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.’” (Mt.25:33-34, 41 nlt)

Jesus’ reference to the sheep and goats in His answer to the disciples compares those who have treated His brothers and sisters with kindness and those who have not as if they were doing it to Him. This passage of Jesus’ words is often mistaken as the acceptance of good works for entrance into heaven. Jesus stated earlier, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.” (Mt.25:34 nlt) Salvation is a gift of God, not something to be earned through merited deeds. It is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. (Eph.2:8-9) Those who know the Savior will indeed do good works as verification of a changed life in Christ. “I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” (Ja.2:18b nlt)

We all struggle understanding Scripture and some passages are hard sayings, but it is all God’s Word to us. Some passages we would rather ignore for what it contains, but it is all truth. For us, are we among the sheep or the goats, are we people of faith or people of works?

Read: Matthew 25:31-46 NLT – The Final Judgment – “But when the – Bible Gateway