Life and living can gradually and unrecognizably harden our hearts to certain issues. A deluge of information about a topic can have the opposite of enlightenment and result in insensitivity.
The longer people live and tether themselves around the comfort of merely knowing God but not surrendering to Him, the more HE is only invited into certain aspects of their lives. When it is convenient, people slot Him in like a missing puzzle piece (especially when difficulties arise) instead of surrendering the thousands-piece puzzle called life and allowing Him to perfectly fit each piece together as He planned.
The days are graciously ticking towards my 40th birthday and above all thoughts, achievements, and desires, my heart is most concerned about whether people truly understand that life is finite, eternity is real and the options for the afterlife are either heaven or hell. Our eternal abode is determined by whether we choose Jesus before we take our final breath. Life is Short but Eternity is long.
Even people who know of God and grew up in church are unprepared to let go of fleeting pleasures and live for God. All Christians were once sinners, carrying the same Adamic impurity by nothing more than being born into a fallen/sinful world. Many Christians had that period of indulgence, living only for the pleasures and pride of life.
I remember the days of my revelry when I knew God was knocking on my heart but I ignored Him. I wasn't prepared to make the sacrifice or the switch. It seemed too hard and frankly unnecessary at that point.
The point is, we were all there. However, long gone are the days when one could say, I still have time to 'palance' before I make it right with God by choosing to believe in Jesus's sacrifice.
Someone who hasn't yet decided to believe in Jesus is probably reading this and thinking that it's been a while since their hearts felt that tender nudge from God. In the days when they felt it, they probably ignored it like I did, possibly concerned about how those around them would view their newly surrendered life.
Like my thought process, it's possible that many people are not prepared to live this 'super Jesus-y' life they perceive. Inevitably, those persons who were blessed to reach an older age will tell you that all the frolicking of our youth can never replace God. Ecclesiastes 12:1 says:
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”
The Bible tells us that it's not law and judgment that invites us to surrender to God but it's His goodness (Romans 2:4). The goodness He showers on all of us every day, whether we ask for it or acknowledge it. It is not the 'Thou Shalt Not' that draws us to His beautiful arms of forgiveness and belonging, it's just His love. The love and grace of God pursue us and allow each human to know Him, despite the appeal of the world.
Since we all will give an account for our life, those who did not believe in Jesus for salvation will give an account for every time they rejected God's goodness as an opportunity to be reconnected to him in righteousness through belief in Jesus. The true torment of hell is a perpetual knowledge that we squandered and ignored Christ's sacrifice.
This article isn’t about sin or even hell, it's about the status of our belief, particularly your acceptance of Jesus's sacrifice that makes you righteous and pure in the sight of God. Stop by any random store, restaurant, or even a bar and ask the most inebriated person you find whether they know about God and they’d probably say ‘yes’! However, knowing Him isn't enough. Restoration to God the way He originally intended with Adam and Eve is through believing in Jesus.
If you've never heard or read the Good News before, here it is:
"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." (1 Timothy 1:15)
Salvation is found in no one else [but Jesus], for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesian 2:8-9)
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:30-31)
"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3:15)
"Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling
Calling for you and for me
See on the portals He's waiting and watching
Watching for you and for me
Come home, come home
Ye who are weary come home
Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling
Calling, "O sinner come home"
Love Ya,
Krystal Baynes-Hoseinee
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