Love your neighbor (effectively) as yourself
If you are a Christian, then this is a simple question for you: Do you believe that those who die outside of the Lord go to hell?
And if you do believe this as the scriptures say, does that move you to always be aware of this reality in your dealings with others? Do you see this reality clearly? Is it clear as crystal all the time for you?
Do you see people as the Lord Jesus sees them? Did you know it is not only possible, but it is a command, and vital, and is not an option?
This is about life and death. We are alive today, and at a point in time we die. Beyond that is eternity; forever. Hell is where the sinner goes who dies outside of the Lord.
The Word of God is replete with scriptures about the finality and reality of hell that give no wiggle room around it.
If this is not something you are normally mindful of, if it actually sunk into you, it would change your whole outlook.
Popular Concept? (Or not so much)
There are various strains of teaching on the subject, and in America today, there are many who like to dance around the topic of judgment and hell, and focus more on the love of God to save us.
It’s true that God loves us and wants to save us, but what He wants to save us from is something the gospels record Jesus spending more time talking about than He did heaven and grace.
To focus on only the comfortable thoughts is like a lopsided balance scale, and the scriptures say “an unjust balance is an abomination to the Lord.” (Prov. 11:1)
Here’s the thing: If my idea of living the Christian life is all about focusing on what God does for me, and I major on feeling good and reveling in all God does for me, this is actually quite selfish; it is the opposite of being like Jesus.
The intent of saying this is not to create a new law. First of all, it is already a command. But commanding people to love their neighbor as themselves, while it is a command from the Lord, in itself cannot work unless you know from whence the fountain of living waters issue.
The point here is there is a major sense of urgency. People all around us are destined to burn forever separated from God’s love in hell if they do not hear the truth, repent, and each of us is an ambassador for Jesus’ kingdom.
This desensitizing me-first world we live in may have a tendency to numb out even the well meaning among us.
The answer to the need is Jesus Christ the Lord. His Spirit ever lives to produce His love and care and compassion and wisdom in us. But we must not only passively agree to these concepts, or say we want to consistently manifest love, care, and sensitivity – we must exercise our will and act to seek this power to love from God.
Discipleship
By definition, if we say we are in Christ, then we declare ourselves disciples of Jesus Christ.
The Word of God says we are crucified with Christ (Rom. 6:6) so we are not supposed to be all about ourselves, self-focused, oblivious to, or less than fully sensitive to the needs of others. Rather, as new creatures in Christ, “alive to God” we are to present ourselves “a living sacrifice” to Him.
The Word says this, and many more profound things that (sadly) to all too many may merely be talking points, if they are aware of them at all.
Only by having your eyes opened and enabled by God’s own Spirit can you hope to do this in the right spirit. Otherwise, the best you may do – and the best a lot of people do in their own strength, not abiding in the Vine – is try harder. It will be hit or miss that way.
Meanwhile that old woman you may know who doesn’t know Jesus will be destined for hell after the judgment if no living witness can get through to her. That non-Christian stranger you see will too. Same goes for your family members who are not in Christ. Same goes for people all around us.
Do you identify with this spiritual eternal perspective, or do you often think as one in the world? Do you get irritated by people who offend you instead of seeking grace from God to love them?
It’s a trap. Do not let the enemy make you like the lost while you claim Christ as your savior.
Whether you know these things, or Satan has lulled you to sleep, or you have not an inkling how to get over your self love, that does nothing to stop reality from marching forward.
While some Christians have yet to get over themselves, and find out who they are in Christ, millions of people are going to hell which is enlarging to accept them forever.
Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. -Isaiah 5:14
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. – Revelation 20:15
Self-focused No More
Again. This is not to try and guilt you or manipulate you to try harder. Dead religion never worked, and “if it isn’t in you, it will never stay on you,” as someone once said.
Only God can transform you and give you His fire; His sense of urgency and a transcending love issuing from the inside out. But the need is there, as is the remedy. Today!
The Lord Jesus was not focused on Himself; His eyes were always on the Father. Our eyes are not to be on ourselves, they are to be on the Lord Jesus!
Can you say from your heart this is true of you? If so, good! Do you love, and do you learn from the Lord to have wisdom to share your faith with those around you? Do you look for opportunities and “divine appointments?” Do you pray and ask God to give you souls for His kingdom?
He who wins souls is wise. -Proverbs 11:30
This wisdom comes from God. It is not our talents, our charm, our good looks, our clever humorous talk, or how witty, hip, or cool we personally are that wins them.
Jesus is the desire of every nation, and we must be able to give people Jesus.
Did you know you cannot give a person anything that you yourself do not have?
Then Peter said, silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee … -Acts 3:6
Your Calling
This is a spiritual life and it goes beyond even good intentions, though that can be a start. God needs your spirit made alive to be active and able to reach out and touch others – spirit to spirit.
The Lord is calling to you, dear Christian. He called you to Himself from the beginning, and He yet whispers with a still small voice; “learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.” (Matt. 11:29)
His heart weeps for those who are dying. Who will go for Him? Who will speak for Him?
To whom it may concern, He needs you to wake up and love with His love. He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but must execute judgment.
Please dear Christian; put your eyes upon Jesus; understand He would save those around you and use you; yes you.
Seek the Lord while He may be found; ask and it shall be given to you.
What are your priorities? If you could see all the lost around you in eternal torments it would change your mind but if we must wait until then, it will be too late.
Please repent as needed, and ask God to make you all that He would make of you.
Life depends on it, and this realty never goes away.
