PASTOR JOHN COLLINS: CARELESS IN FAITH
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in
unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God
has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes
are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His
eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although
they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became
futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Romans
1:18-21 (NKJV).
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| Pastor John Collins: if more people believe hell is real they would put more effort into not going there! (photo courtesy Google images) |
No one wants to hear about hell. No one wants their
preachers to preach about hell. Everyone wants to believe that they and all of
their loved ones are going to heaven. Even though it is so clear that so many are
living outside of the will of God and are so far departed from obedience to
Christ, people are insistent that heaven is the destination most taken.
Our problem is in procrastination and denial. We push away
the truth that is held in our hearts if we would just pay attention and we put
off acknowledging that truth at all costs. We are not promised tomorrow and we
are so careless in our self-preservation today.
Hell is real and it is not a place that any would want to
be. If more people believed that hell was real they would put more effort into
not going there. When people think about hell many of them just get bitter and
resentful at the prospect of it being a true destination, as if it is not fair
and therefore is unjust. Many would fault God for creating hell and many would
judge a God who could condemn anyone.
It is amazing to me that we can accept rules in our own
societies and in our own homes and be disdainful of the rules of God in His
created universe. I find it strange that the people of this earth can find
within themselves a need for vengeance for victims, justice for all and a sense
of right and wrong among the people but fail to find fairness or acceptance of
hell.
Jesus said to go and sin no more and that is what all of us
who have come to believe in Jesus need to do. We must not excuse our sins,
past, present and future as paid for by Christ. We must accept our weaknesses
and repent, seek forgiveness and move forward with the intention of sinning no
more. It is in our efforts to get it right, stay out of hell and make it to
heaven that we will achieve righteousness.
“For there is no partiality with God.” Romans 2:11 (NKJV)
