“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.” – Deuteronomy 30:19
In the grand scheme of eternity, two diverging roads stretch before us—one leading to destruction, the other to life. The weight of this choice reverberates through time, as many find themselves unknowingly navigating the wide road that leads to destruction. But why, you may ask, do people willingly choose this path, even those within the church? The answer lies in two fundamental aspects—our lack of trust in God and our failure to fear Him as instructed by Jesus in Matthew 10:28.
Consider these words from Jesus, urging us to fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Yet, often, we live without a healthy fear of God, lacking a deep understanding of His Word. In this state, we drift through life selfishly and sinfully, separated from the very essence of our Creator.
The consequence of living separated from God on earth is a chilling revelation—the same separation extending into eternity when a lost soul enters hell. It’s not a punishment forced upon them; rather, it’s the culmination of a lifetime spent rejecting, running from, and refusing to worship God. In essence, God honors the desires of their hearts, granting the self-imposed wish for eternal separation.
Contemplate this truth: Forcing people into heaven against their desires would transform heaven into a place of torment. The discomfort experienced by those who reject God in a worshipful environment on earth magnifies the misery that would await them in eternity. Heaven, for the lost, would be a hellish experience.
Atheist Jean-Paul Sartre painted a stark image, stating, “The gates of hell are locked from the inside by the free choice of men.” Hell becomes a self-imposed consequence arising from our rejection of God. It is not a punitive measure inflicted upon us; rather, it is a natural outcome of our choices.
Amidst this reality, a resounding message echoes—the reason Jesus came was to provide an alternative. You don’t have to reject God, and you don’t have to go to hell. The crossroads of choice, with its profound implications, beckons us to embrace redemption. Jesus came so that we might choose life over destruction, heaven over hell. Today, let this truth resonate within you, guiding your steps toward the pathway of grace, forgiveness, and eternal communion with the Creator who longs to embrace you in His love.