Hell Bent

"There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.  "But there was certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, "Desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich mans table.  Moreover, the dog came and licked his sores.  "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abrahams bosom.  The rich man also died and was buried.  "And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  "Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.'  "But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.  "And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, not can those from there pass to us.'  "Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my fathers house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they come to this place of torment.'  "Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.'  "And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'  "But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.' "
Luke 16:19-31 NKJV

An interesting conversation took place this week.  Two friends, both christian, and both raised on the very idea that there was a place in hell reserved for those among us who are counted as sinners.  For this has been the prevailing teaching for generations from many a pulpit pounder.  The teaching, and the prevailing belief, has been that there are indeed two types of people among Gods creation, those who have been cleansed by the righteous blood of Christ Jesus, and those who have continued to reside in their own sins.  Again, this has been the mantra of the church.  Whether this seperation of Gods children was meant as a way to frighten one into repentance is another topic for another time.  However, I am quite sure that many a christian has been in fear for their very eternity at one time or another.  Growing up, I was often exposed to Sunday school lessons and sermons from the pulpit of the church that those sinners among us would be damned to a eternity of suffering in hell.  These teachings played hell with my emotions each and every time that I "Fell short" of what was perceived as Gods standard of behavior.  To this day, I still feel a twinge of fear whenever that improper thought comes along.  Those images of lakes of fire and brimstone seemed all too real.  How could one relish an eternity in such a place?  The images were many, weeping, gnashing of teeth and perpetual sorrow and pain.  I feared an eternity in hell, and I fought like hell to avoid it!

He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His son.  And this is the testimony, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.  These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
1 John 5: 10-13 NKJV

It only seems logical, proven not only by scriptures, but by the testimony of many a preacher over the ages.  Those who remain in sin will eventually find themselves condemned to that lake of fire we call hell along with satan and his minions.  Yes, for this is why hell had even been created, as that final destination for the rebelious satan and those who followed his insurection against God.  A fitting end for sure.  However, one quirk to this equation was brought up in our conversation this week.  One that will surely cause many a christian to stand and take notice.  So, brace yourself, christian, for what could be a life changing revelation.  What if I were to tell you that it is not our sins for which we will ultimately be condemned to that place which has struck fear into christians worldwide?  I'm not suggesting that hell is a myth, but merely that we may have the wrong idea how one would end up in such a place of torment.  If you are to follow the reasoning of scripture, then one may begin to understand what may condemn one to hell.  For the prevailing belief is that it is ones own sins which will forever condemn them to a lake of fire.  This is the line we've been fed for generations.  However, my suggestion to any who will listen is this, how is it that our Lord will condemn us to hell for sins which have been forgiven and erased by the very blood of Christ Jesus?  For when Jesus gave His life on that cross, all  of our sins past, present and future were taken upon Him and wiped clean.  Indeed, when we come before God seeking forgiveness for the very sins we feel we have committed, His response will surely be "What sin, my child?"  For if our heavenly Father now sees no sin within us, for what are we condemned?  Well, the apostle John may well provide the answer to that question for us.  For in 1 John 5, he reveals the one and only reason for why one may be condemned to a eternity in hell.  As John explains, "He who has the son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."  I suggest that it is not our sins which we shall be condemned, for our sins have been cleansed by the blood of Christ.  No, that condemnation will come for those who have not accepted Christ Jesus!  Indeed, it is those who do not have the Son of God, who have rejected Him, who will have a place reserved for eternity in the presence of satan and his minions.  That is one place which those who have accepted Jesus will NEVER see.  Indeed, if we accept Jesus into our hearts, not only are our sins forgiven and our very sin nature put to death {Romans 6:6-11}, but that we are assured of our eternity in Christ {1 John 5: 10-13}.

~Scott~