It’s almost as though we have forgotten that there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun.

By Tom Shanklin

I thank God that many of our readers have been born again and have the assurance from the Word of God and the Holy Spirit that they will spend eternity with the Lord.

But I do have a concern about the state of the Church in general, and what we preach and believe. It’s almost as though we have forgotten that there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. Almost all the preaching today is about what we have and what we can do on this earth. But the time we spend on earth is only a wisp of time…a vapor that soon passes away. Eternity is a much more important subject.

Jesus told us: “…Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15, 16, KJV.

The word “damned” means “to give judgment against, to judge worthy of punishment, to condemn.” We need to think about what it means for people to go out into eternity without Christ. If we thought more about that, it would not only cause us to pass our time on this earth in reverential fear, but also cause us to use our time and energy to reach others with the saving message of Jesus Christ. (See 1 Peter 1:17 and 2 Corinthians 5:11)

There is a judgment! The Bible is very clear on that. It talks about a lake of fire and an outer darkness, far from the light of God. Some say, “Yes, I’ll be in hell with all my friends, and we’ll party night and day.” But there will be no party in hell, only weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Others say, “A good God would never send anyone to hell.”

But the truth is that people send themselves to hell by rejecting God’s answer to the sin problem. “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. Jesus is the answer for “whosoever.” Even the worse sinner can find reprieve in Him and be exonerated from the judgement fires. God does not want ANYONE to perish. He made provision for EVERYONE to be saved by allowing His Son to die in their place. That’s Good News!

But in order to receive the Good News, you first recognize the bad news. The bad news is, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23, KJV. And, “For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23a, KJV. Death is eternal separation from God, who is our Life.

But thank God there is a reprieve! As the Scripture says, “…the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23b, KJV. Jesus took all your sins. The blood He shed on the cross was the full price of redemption. You can have forgiveness by receiving Him as your Lord and Savior. And He will change your heart to make you fit for heaven.

I recently preached a message on the radio in Ada, Minnesota called “Goody Two Shoe Sinners.” There are many of us who lived pretty rough lives before we came to Christ, including myself. But there are others who look pretty good, at least on the outside. They pay their bills. They pay their taxes. They don’t murder or steal or do drugs. They may even go to church. But inwardly there is no change. They are far away from God, living self-righteous lives. They are still in their sins. They are goody two shoe sinners and they too need a Savior.

Click here to listen to the “Goody Two Shoes Sinners” Podcast.

It’s like a family sitting on top of the roof of their house after a great flood. Repeatedly, rescuers came to carry them to safety. But they say, “No, we are fine. We have resources. We have skills. The water will soon go down and we will be safe.” But then a great storm comes and moves their house off its foundation and they perish. You see, you have to recognize your need for rescue before you can be saved. But sometimes it is hard to recognize your need when you think you are good enough. But when you open your heart, the Holy Spirit will help you to see your great need for a change of heart. And when you turn to Him, He will forgive all, and receive you into His Kingdom.

Sometimes, to make God’s plan of salvation clear, we use what we call the ABCs of salvation. In order to receive God’s pardon and the assurance of eternal life, you must…

• ADMIT you are a sinner.
• BELIEVE that Jesus died for your sins personally and rose again.
• CONFESS that Jesus Christ is Lord (ruler) of your life and follow Him.

God has a wonderful future planned for His children. As the scripture says, “…Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9, KJV. Heaven will be more glorious than any of us can imagine. God’s presence and love permeates the entire atmosphere, and He wants you there with Him. If you have not done so before, you can receive Jesus Christ now by praying sincerely from your heart:

Dear God, I know I’m a sinner. I have not done right. My heart has not been right. Forgive me. I turn my heart to you. I believe that Jesus died for me and took my punishment. I believe He rose again. I accept Jesus as my Lord and I will follow Him. Thank you Father for pardoning me and receiving me into your family, in Jesus name. Amen.

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