On Saturday, we stood around the grave of our nephew’s 24-year-old wife. She lived a beautiful, God-honoring life and is now in the presence of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8 NLT). Her family and friends, who have placed their lives in God’s hands, will have a grand reunion one day. It’s a day I long for; a day I see coming soon and very soon.
There are many things about Jesus’ second coming that I don’t know or understand. However, I DO know He will return for everyone who chooses to follow Him. God has always given us a choice between two options: life or death.
God told the Israelites, “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” (Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT) We still have the same choice.
Jesus said it this way to Nicodemus, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 KJV, emphasis mine)
In Proverbs, King Solomon said, “Godly people find life; evil people find death.” (Proverbs 11:19 NLT)
Jesus told His 12 disciples, “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28 NLT)
Some Christians believe that souls who choose NOT to follow Jesus will be tormented forever and ever in the fires of hell. Others believe that only saved souls will live forever, while unsaved souls will be destroyed, disappear, be gone, die, perish, or be consumed (see Psalm 37, Galatians 6:8, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, Romans 6:23, 2 Peter 3:7-9). For those of us who are being saved, this may not seem like a big deal; it can feel like mere semantics. However, many who don’t even believe in God have refused to come to Life because they can’t imagine trusting a God who would allow any “whosoevers” He claims to love to be tormented forever.
That makes me pause.
I have lived my life in fear of hell. I thought I had to get everything right and keep everyone on the straight and narrow. I saw Scripture as a rule book for staying out of hell rather than a love letter from Love Himself. To unbelievers, I must have given them more reasons NOT to follow Jesus. I projected an attitude that came across as judgmental and harsh. It only seemed fair that those who didn’t follow all the rules should burn in hell forever and ever.
Yes, God’s wrath is real and so are the fires of hell. But maybe, just maybe, they are meant to consume and destroy those who choose to go there. Jesus said the fires of hell were prepared for the devil and his demons. (Matthew 25:41) Those who refuse to love others will go there for punishMENT, not punishING. (Matthew 25:46) Keep these opposing beliefs on the back burner for a few months as you read your Bible, and come to your own conclusion. As for me, I now realize that my life’s engine ran on low-octane rules rather than on a premium relationship with Jesus. Getting to know Him upgraded my fuel and supercharged my perspective and my life.
Today, I’d rather focus on the countless ways living in God’s presence blesses my life now and on how wonderful it will be to live with Him forever. Like Paul, I finally realize how indescribable God’s love and grace truly are. (2 Corinthians 9:15) Like Peter, I know the indescribable joy of trusting Jesus for the salvation of my soul. (1 Peter 1:8) I pray that others will see Life living in me and will want a relationship with the One who paves the way for eternal life.
I believe with all my heart that the mission of the church is to present Jesus as the only One who can save us and fill us with magnetic joy and supernatural peace. When we offer unbelievers THAT picture of who God is, we become walking billboards for eternal life. They will see hell as a permanent and final place of separation from God’s love, Jesus’ grace, and the Holy Spirit’s friendship. Filled with the Spirit, they will embrace a loving God who has patiently waited for them to believe because He doesn’t want any “whosoevers” to perish.
One day, we’ll see again that beautiful, 24-year-old who went to be with Jesus last week. We’ll see all the loved ones who’ve gone before us. But best of all, we’ll see the One our hearts have longed for.
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14:1-3 NLT)
