Daily Devotion (July 15, 2024)
Matthew 25:41 (NKJV)
41“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:
I was going to do my devotion on Hell and how hot it is. I just finished my morning walk with Kathy and the dogs and realized life in the Chattahoochee Valley is hot and muggy in the good ole Summertime.
This verse came to my mind. No matter how hot it is on earth there is no comparison to the heat of Hell. The heat, the fire of Hell is continuous, never ending, for all eternity. But is that the worst of Hell? The answer is a resounding NO! I have been in some hot places; I do not want to experience the heat of Hell. But there is a far greater pain that will be eternal, never ending than that of the fire of Hell.
Jesus spoke of Hell more than anyone else. Jesus wanted us to know about Hell to avoid it. God does not send anyone to Hell; we send ourselves. Hell is the opposite of God. God is light Hell is darkness. We have two options: live with God or live life without God. If you do not want God’s authority in your life you do not have to have it. You can spend eternity in Hell without God.
So, what is that far greater pain that will be eternal? It is in Hell knowing you had the opportunity to experience the love of God, to accept that love of God and chose to reject it. In Hell there are no do overs. I would suggest reading C.S. Lewis’ book The Great Divorce.
Hell never ends for those who reject Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. And yes, Hell will be cast into the Lake of fire and brimstone but those in Hell will not be consumed. We do not accept Christ to avoid Hell but to have an eternal relationship with Him on earth and in Heaven. A relationship of love.
John 3:16–17 (NKJV)
16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.