Sometime ago I was with a woman who, after accepting
Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, hurried to her family to share the
wonderful news about being saved! Instead of being supported, she was
jokingly asked, “Saved from what?” Millions consider salvation to be a
joke, and tragically, one day the so-called “joke” will be on all those
who don’t believe!
When death silences our body, and our casket is lowered into
the dark, dank grave, we will NOT cease to exist! “… There is a natural body
(suited to life on earth), and there is a spiritual body (suited for eternal
life)”. (I Corinthians 15:44) Since each of us is a sinner (Romans 3:23) in
urgent need of being saved, it’s critical that we comprehend the horrifying
ramifications of being unsaved, and the immediate need for salvation (II
Corinthians 6:2b).
Physical death is the portal into eternity’s only two
destinations: Heaven, the beginning of everlasting happiness (saved), or Hell
(and ultimately the Lake of Fire) and never-ending damnation (unsaved)! “…the
hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice.
And shall come forth; they that have done good (accepted Jesus), unto the
resurrection of life: and they that have done evil (rejected Jesus) unto the
resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:28-29) Furthermore, it’s imperative to
understand that God created us with a free will, giving us ABSOLUTE control over
our eternal destination. We have a choice! “He that believeth on the Son (a
choice) hath everlasting life (Heaven): and he that believeth not the Son (a
choice) shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him (Hell/Lake of
Fire).” (John 3:36) “He that believeth on him (choice) is not condemned;
but he that believeth not (choice) is condemned already, because he hath
not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18)
John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim’s Progress, wrote, “Fools make
a mock of sin, will not believe;……They know not that it is the very spell
(influence) of sin, to make them laugh themselves to Hell…”. The unsaved can
joke about Jesus’s death and resurrection, ignore sin and scoff at the existence
of afterlife but when their bodies succumb to death, there will be no laughter,
NO second chances. At the instant of one’s demise, whether saved or unsaved, a
person’s freely chosen destination will be FINAL; realized throughout all
eternity. Because there is NO other destination: no purgatory (Romans
8:1), no nirvana, reincarnation (Hebrews 9:27) or annihilation (Luke 16:19-31),
our journey will be instantaneous and nonstop; directly to Heaven or straight to
Hell (Matthew 25:46).
And Hell awaits if we are striving for salvation through good
works, kind deeds, church affiliation, religiosity, morality, tithing or
baptism. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are
the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12) “For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that NOT of yourselves: It is the gift of God: NOT of works, lest any man
should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) Why refuse God’s gift? Why reject Jesus?
We wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to a person rescuing us
from treacherous waters or think twice about grabbing onto someone pulling us
from a blazing inferno. Why, then, do we hesitate to grab the Hand of Jesus? He
is the Only One who can save us from drowning in our sin, rescue us from the
firestorm of Hell, and deliver us from the ever-lasting Lake of Fire
(Revelations 21:8).
He suffered so we wouldn’t have to! Gasping for breath as His
body struggled for air, blood oozing down His face, nailed hands and feet
holding Him against the rugged cross, Jesus suffered cruel torment and brutal
death because He was “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should
come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:9b) Jesus Christ willingly shed His precious
blood in order to rescue you and me from eternal damnation. “…without shedding
of blood is no remission (forgiveness).” (Hebrews 9:22b) Jesus Christ is our
propitiation (atoning sacrifice) presented to God to satisfy our sin debt! “Who
(Jesus) was delivered for our offences, and was raised again (resurrection) for
our justification (pardon).” (Romans 4:25)
Don’t snicker at salvation! It won’t be a laughing matter if
we find ourselves in the hands of an angry God! (Psalm 90:11) His wrath will
wipe the smirk from every unbeliever’s face, to be replaced with “wailing and
gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:42) as the Lake’s everlasting flames of torment
relentlessly prove …“SALVATION WAS NO JOKE”!
We MUST be saved! With genuine faith we MUST believe in the
ONLY source of salvation - Jesus Christ! “For whosoever will call upon the name
of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) Saved from what? From the
everlasting penalty of sin - eternal punishment! (Revelations 20:11-15)
Ask yourself, where is the humor in suffering throughout all
eternity?
