To Hell With God's Word?

There's nothing Satan would love to do more than hide the Bible in Hell or at least a discussion about Hell.  After all, if the Bible is hidden, people will never know God's plan and the gospel that frees them from Hell's grip.  And so, we find ourselves in a very serious discussion over the past weeks as to whether or not Hell is really the final destination for those who reject God.  In essence, Satan is trying to hide the Bible in the discussion of Hell and whether or not a loving God would really allow people to suffer there forever.  Satan is trying to hide God's word by teaching us to step outside of God's Word to understand God.  (P.S. Satan has been doing this for a long time!)  The problem is, that's never worked historically and it won't work now.  But many seem to be saying:  To Hell with God's Word.   

Really?

© Robby Fazio | Dreamstime.com

Here is what God's Word has to say about Hell, eternity, and Itself:

The Rich Man and Lazarus


19 "There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side.t The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame. '25 But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' 27 And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house—28 for I have five brotherst—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' 29 But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them. '30 And he said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent. '31 He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'" -Luke 16:19-31 ESV


Judgment Before the Great White Throne


11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. -Revelation 20:11-15 ESV


18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. -Revelation 22:18-19 ESV




8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever. -Isaiah 40:8 ESV

So how can one be saved from Hell?  By recognizing our need for a savior because of our sinfulness.  We can't save ourselves from Hell only God can save us!  That is the hope of the gospel!  We don't have to experience Hell when we put our faith and trust in the only Savior—Jesus.  And according to God's word, there is no better (or other) time to make that decision than right here, right now. 

By Grace Through Faith


1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  -Ephesians 2:1-10 ESV

Speak Up! Living Together Before Marriage

In our world, silence implies agreement.  In this series we're discussing issues about which many Christians are silent.  Often times, we're confused as to what Jesus actually stated regarding these important spiritual issues. Since many Christians are silent, the world assumes we agree with its ideas and actions.  However,  the name Christian means believer in (or follower of) Jesus Christ and His teachings, so we must ask the question: Was Jesus silent about living together before marriage?

Copyright Greater Things Productions

Though Jesus never formally addresses "living together", He does make clear that we are not to be led into temptation.  In the Lord's prayer Jesus teaches us to pray these words: "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."  The simple point is this:  Living together before marriage leads to lustful temptation.  Some people say they are stronger than "the temptation" but look what Jesus has to say about lust:

29 So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. -Matthew 5:29-30 NLT

Lust is just as addictive as cocaine, maybe even more so (because it can remain hidden)!  Jesus knows when we're tempted to lust, we are more likely to give in because it's so easy to hide.  That's why He makes it clear to pray for God's strength against temptation and not put ourselves in situations where we'll be tempted in this way.

Living together before marriage automatically puts people into a tempting situation.  No matter how hard you try, most people can't live together and not give into the temptation of lust.  So why put ourselves in those situations?  (The need to save money is not a valid option.)

The writer of Hebrews makes this point:

4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. -Hebrews 13:4 NLT

Giving horor to marriage means staying pure for your spouse and honoring that person before and during marriage.  Before marriage means honoring God and your future spouse by not leading them into temptation.  During marriage means not committing adultery, which Jesus says happens when we give in to the lustful thoughts in our mind.

Since the beginning God made men and women so they could be joined together as one in Him.

24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. -Genesis 2:24 NLT

God created sex.  He created sex to be enjoyed between a husband and a wife.  He did not create it for couples who don't want to commit to each other in case they find "something better."

Living together automatically invites temptation to fulfill lustful desires. Jesus was clear about not being led into temptation and not giving in to lust.  Honor your marriage bed by keeping it pure before and during marriage.  In our culture, it's becoming rare for people to not live together before marriage.

There is forgiveness, grace, and power to walk out of a tempting situation in the name of Jesus!  If you find yourself in this position right now, consider the words of the Apostle Paul to Timothy: 22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. -2 Timothy 2:22

If you're a follower of Jesus and your reading this and stuck in a "living together" situation, consider what Paul says to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16: 16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. People are watching us.  People, young in their faith, may see us do things Jesus told us not to do and think it's permissible leading them to a path that ends in spiritual destruction. Also, remember, the world is watching.  If we remain silent about living together before marriage the world will assume we agree with its premise that living together is OK.  Jesus didn't and we don't.  

Speak Up! Homosexuality

In our world, silence implies agreement.  In this series we're discussing issues about which many Christians are silent.  Often times, we're confused as to what Jesus actually stated regarding these important spiritual issues. Since many Christians are silent, the world assumes we agree with its ideas and actions.  However,  the name Christian means believer in (or follower of) Jesus Christ and His teachings, so we must ask the question: Was Jesus silent, as many Christians seem, about homosexuality?

Copyright Greater Things Productions

The answer is no.  Jesus wasn't silent about homosexuality.  It's true He never directly condemns homosexuality, but He makes it clear that homosexuality is not God's design.  Here's what Jesus said in Matthew 19:4:

And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ “and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?’”-Matthew 19:4

Jesus made it very clear that God made us male and female and for that reason a man is joined to his wife (female).  God designed sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman and only within the boundaries of marriage.  God never intended or designed marriage and sexual intimacy to occur between two men or two women.

Furthermore, Jesus was bound to, upheld, and fulfilled God's law from the Old Testament. God's law strictly prohibited homosexuality. (Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Deut. 23:17)  Here is what Jesus said:

"Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose." -Matthew 5:17 NLT

Because Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets, He could not, nor would He, speak against the law or the prophets.  Therefore, Jesus was not silent about homosexuality and upholds the truth of His Father's design for sexuality:  Only between a man and woman.

This does not leave room, though, for the superiority complex.  Just because some of us don't struggle with the sin of homosexuality, we do struggle with other sins.  Only Jesus was, is, and always will be able to live without sin.  For those of us who've put our faith and trust in Jesus, His death on the cross paid for all of our sins, including those for whom homosexuality is a struggle.  Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love God with everything and love your neighbor as yourself.

Don't hold the truth of God over someone's head waiting to dump it all over them.  Instead, teach the truth of God through love, relationship, and compassion.  Jesus did it that way for us.  In fact, He gave His life for us.  No matter what our sin struggle is, Jesus desires for us to put our faith in Him, live by God's truth, free from sin, and follow Him daily.

The Apostle Paul summarizes this best in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11:

9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. -1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NLT

The hope of the gospel is for everyone!  There is forgiveness and restoration in Christ, for all! Though Jesus was against homosexuality, He was not against the person struggling with homosexuality.  He died for that person, just like he died for everyone stuck in sin.

We must speak up and stand for truth but never without love!  We all struggle with sin, so let's help each other overcome sin by living through the power of the cross and the grace of our savior, Jesus!

For more on God's design for sexuality, go here!