Hell Is Not The Most Popular Topic….

Hell is not the most popular topic discussed in gatherings today. And as each day goes by, it loses any more and more importance it may have. In this story, Jesus tells the Pharisees about a rich man and a beggar. The beggar goes to Heaven, and the rich man goes to Hell. The point I want to make is “what we do in this life matters”. What we pursue matters. How we treat others matters. The key is how we see God. If we see Him as a fairy, grandfather type, we will only go to Him when trouble comes. If we see Him as the enemy, we won’t ever go to Him. It’s only when we see Him for Who He really is, the First Great Cause, the Author of life, the Alpha and Omega, the Lover of our souls, the Extender of Mercy and Grace, that we begin to really live. We see things from an eternal perspective that helps us focus on the truly important things. Our attitudes are of the utmost importance. Without God’s constant guidance, we will never be consistent in our behavior. And worst yet, without God’s grace, we will end up where the rich man didn’t want to be. A life lived in selfish pursuits guarantees a life of regret. A life lived pursuing God, doesn’t guarantee a smooth ride here on earth, but it does guarantee a life filled with hope that eventually ends with God in Heaven. If Hell wasn’t real, Jesus never would’ve mentioned it as much as He did, would He?

19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores.21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried,23 and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home.28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31