As fall begins, the world is coming off of one of the hottest summers on record, forest fires and intense storms have ravaged every nation. Fortunately, this isn’t our eternal home, because this planet is headed for extinction.
Many people inaccurately profess that the world was “hot as ‘Hell.” No one can know how hot Hell will be, because the final Hell hasn’t been created yet. Furthermore, no one can go there and return except for Jesus to give us the victory over it and death (Ephesians 4:9, 1 Peter 4:6). Now believers don’t need to fear it!
As I have stated before this year has been pretty tough for me as. It seems like everything and the kitchen sink came at me this year, emotional wounds, spiritual attacks, and physical setbacks. I cross my heart; this has been one of the most difficult years I have experienced since my accident.
As bad as 2022 has been for me, I will not describe it as, “Hell.” Although it has felt like the devil has been after me, I am determined to flee from him and his shackles. Scripture warns followers to turn from all evil (Job 1:1, Psalm 34:4, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 1 Peter 3:11).
If believers are called to avoid all evil and love God, we cannot dabble in or condone any sin, because that is criminal. The great reformers emphasized the need for repentance. This means we must turn from our bad habits and do good. Not to be saved, but because we are saved.
Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Evangelical repentance is repentance of sin as sin: not of this sin nor of that, but of the whole mass. We repent of the sin of our nature as well as the sin of our practice. We bemoan sin within us and without us. We repent of sin itself as being an insult to God. Anything short of this is a mere surface repentance, and not a repentance which reaches to the bottom of the mischief. Repentance of the evil act, and not of the evil heart, is like men pumping water out of a leaky vessel, but forgetting to stop the leak. Some would dam up the stream, but leave the fountain still flowing; they would remove the eruption from the skin, but leave the disease in the flesh.”
If I speak Jesus, the Christian lens of repentance is clear, “A commitment to change.” Change is the evidence of true repentance. Not just acknowledging our sin, we must break every chain. Martin Luther stated, “All of a Christian’s life is one of repentance.” Repentance isn’t just believing in God, James noted even the demons believe in God and tremble (James 2:19).
The world believes there is a special place in Hell for specific kinds of sins like pedophiles and rapists, and even Democrats, which is unbiblical. The church believes differently, it’s interesting to note that while repentance can keep us from Hell, Hell isn’t created for sinners. Jesus taught that God creates Hell for Satan and the angels that rebelled with him (Matthew 25:41). Hell is their punishment for rebellion.
Because God is just, all sinners who rebel against His righteousness are assigned a place in Hell with Satan and the rebellious angels (Matthew 25:26). Just like Satan chose to disobey God, man’s sin nature causes him to transgress against God’s ways as well and go to Hell with the devil.
But God doesn’t want anyone to go to Hell, that is why God sent His Son, to save us from our sins, not to condemn us (John 3:16-17). Those who repent and are in Christ don’t go to Hell after they die.
This is the life believers are called to “abide ‘in Christ” and it is a result of true repentance: in Christ, the old has passed away and I’m turnt (2 Corinthians 5:17). In Christ, we become children of God (John 1:12). In Christ we are blessed and there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). In Christ we cannot continue in sin, but live in grace (Romans 6:3-4).
Jesus gave a harsh warning about those who believe they are in Christ, but never knew Him (Matthew 7:21,) but those who suffer with Him experience paradise. We cannot be in Christ and in the world (Matthew 6:24,) because that isn’t repentance at all, even if you’re happy!
For those in the world, this life is the closest they will get to Heaven; while for those in Christ, it is the closest they get to Hell. It’s so easy to get confused when there are false teachers in the world telling people they can live their best lives now.
But, those who are hidden in Christ experience their best lives in Heaven forever, not here. The only way you get to live your best life now is if you’re not in Christ, this is why we must turn or burn!
