20100321

The oft-quoted phrase “Go to hell” to tell someone that you do not care about him or his viewpoint (often in jest), should be re-examined in the light of teachings from the Bible.  Hell is no fun place and we certainly don’t want people to “Go to hell”.  Although hell has been mentioned in many places in the Bible, in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, it actually described the thoughts, emotions and words of someone suffering in hell (Luke 16:19-31).  Jesus startled everyone with this graphic story of two people.  Lazarus, a diseased beggar, died and is enriched in heaven.  The rich man, on the other hand, died and was punished in hell.  The rich man did not get to heaven not because of his wealth but because of unbelief resulting in selfishness.  His unbelief in God and heartlessness was reflected in his nonchalant and uncaring attitude towards his fellow beings.  He only cared for himself.

Suffering in hell is a tormenting experience and to be in heaven is such a blessing.  It is a point of no return once somebody crosses onto the wrong side at the moment of death – in short, there is no second chance.  That brings us to the sober realisation that issues of the afterlife means a lot to us, more so when we are alive because there is something we can still hope for and rectify.  Spiritually speaking, we can rightly say “where there is life, there is hope”.  To miss the greatest opportunity of all in this life – the opportunity for life in heaven to be with God forever – is the gravest mistake one can make.

Blessed are we to be called the children of God.  Having been spiritually enlightened, it is our responsibility to spread the gospel message to those we love and not to take any chances on their salvation.  In the Great Commission, we each have to play our part, be it as a sower or reaper.  During our time on earth, let us not focus on the things of the world.  Having believed in Jesus, we must strive to live lives of love and care for people.  Let us be shining examples and be challenged by Rom. 1:16: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes”.

Hell is a place we certainly don’t want to recommend to anyone, even our enemies.  Today is the time for Christians to cry out “Go to heaven”