“And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:46 (ESV)
God does not send anyone to hell! In fact, hell was created for the devil and his angels. It is a very terrible place, but people choose to go there. Jesus tells us that there will be people who are told to depart from Him. He will declare “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:21-23). The word “depart” actually isn’t as harsh as it sounds. It is simply a bidding to continue the journey you’re on. One’s journey to hell begins in this life. God ultimately gives everyone what they desire (Romans 1-2). We can draw as close to Him as we choose or walk away from Him. It’s our choice. And this includes after crossing from this life, when God will say “continue on the journey you’ve been on.” We are told man is destined to die once, then will face judgment (Hebrews 9:27). What we do on this earth, while there is still breath in our lungs will determine where we head into eternity. Our eternal journey starts now, and when we die God simply bids us to continue on our way!
Pray for those you know who are choosing hell, for grace to draw them in, for God to open their eyes, for friends/family to speak the gospel clearly to them. Pray for your pastor to be anointed to powerfully preach the Good News about choosing to live for Jesus now! Pray that the lie that God sends people to hell would be exposed for what it is, a deception from the devil. Ask God to awaken even greater fire in you to live wholeheartedly for Him now!
