Eternity in hell?

[m281920]

Eternity in Hell?
Jonathan was 32 years old when he died. Jonathan was not saved and had no desire to listen to those who tried to tell him that his eternal future could be secure if he would just trust in Jesus. Jonathan had too much pride to give in to the call of Jesus. Now Jonathan is spending eternity in HELL!

Jonathan died in a severe car wreck. The weekend before the car accident, a group of people from a near by church witnessed to him. The told Jonathan that Romans 10: 9-11 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” They explained to Jonathan that all people have sinned according to the Bible. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Before the group left, Jonathan told them that he was not interested and that he would appreciate it if they wouldn’t bother him again. This is the rejection of Jesus that sent Jonathan to HELL!

I’m here to tell you today that there are no parties in hell. There are no beautiful men and women in hell. There are no awesome bands playing music in the background. There will not be any joy or happiness in hell! We’ve been given the impression by Satan through the sin of the world that maybe hell will be tolerable. That is not truth!

Hell is full of pain and sorrow. Luke 16:23 says, “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments” Do you know what that means? He was hurting and tormented. Not only was he hurting, he was well aware of his location. HELL! Think about this; this torment, this pain, and this knowledge of where he was could have been avoided if the rich man would have accepted Jesus! I’m trying to tell you hell is no laughing matter. Hell is not a place for friends to gather. Hell will torment you forever!

Revelation 20:14 says, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” So when you think about it, Jonathan, just like the rich man in Luke 16 is going to spend eternity in a lake of fire. I wouldn’t even want to be burned by hot iron on my arm. In hell, your whole body will burn forever and ever. Here is a sad point to ponder. You will know while you’re in hell that, it’s because you rejected Jesus just like Jonathan and the rich man did. Guess what? Hell can be avoided by the love of God.

As your reading this article, search your heart. Picture yourself wallowing in a lake of fire for eternity. Now ask your self this; do I really want to spend eternity in hell? How can I avoid it? The answer is simple. Accept Jesus as your personal savior. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Isn’t that beautiful? John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus is the way out of spending eternity in hell’s tormenting flames! Accept him before its too late.

[Anticipation]

Wow, very well said.

Thank you.

[Kathleen]

Excellent post! thanks for posting this.. Kathy :america

[vesper]

Prayerfully 'Jonathan' went home that night and asked the Good Lord Yeshua into his heart. How sad though it is that WE know that regardless if 'Jonathan' asked Christ into his heart or not, he has MET Christ by now.
Can anyone of us even fathom the Shepherd telling us to depart from Him? I cannot. All I can picture is people doing exactly what Christ said, "THERE WILL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH". Imagine dying, meeting the Saviour, knowing and experiencing what could of been, His total Love and Truth, then being cast away from all that. Oh how awful sad. I pray every one comes to know Him while there is still time. Please don't wait until you meet Him face to face and see for yourself that He is real, He is alive, and He loves YOU. Please don't be one who goes begging and screaming into eternal damnation and separation from our Father. Please don't experience His love for even a nano-second and end up having to be separated from that forever. Please choose Him now. NOW is the time! Oh I hope I said this right because the message I'm trying to convey is so very important!

[raptngrace]

Oh, dear friends on RR, will fewer and fewer people hear the truth about Hell at their Church or a church they visit? Turn on Christian TV and there sure is a lot of feel good, discover your life purpose and so on sermons....no news to you here on RR I know. But we can pass out tracts and give to good ministries and so on. And keep praying for those who seem not to want to hear the truth. Hopefully after the Rapture they will know we weren't liars and turn to Jesus!

[architectlink]

I am having dreams and visions about many unsaved...which leads me to pray for them (Thank you Lord), but I still see many putting off getting to know Jesus...they are too busy.

As in the days of Noah...

Thanks for posting.

[Morningstarlet]

Pride is what keeps people from accepting Christ. Too proud to bend the knee, too proud to ask forgiveness, to proud to admit sin. But the Bible says one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. It's not a question of if a person will ... but the question is when will a person bow and confess. On earth, or at the judgment? At the judgment it will be too late.

[taut]

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

.
If only there weren't so many other verses in the bible indicating that following Jesus as Lord is what saves a person, not just believing that he was who he said he was. As it says in the bible, demons believe, and they tremble. Avoiding hell is the most difficult thing on earth to do. According to the bible, only a "few" manage to avoid it, while many end up there.

[rsraider]

Pride is what keeps people from accepting Christ. Too proud to bend the knee, too proud to ask forgiveness, to proud to admit sin. But the Bible says one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. It's not of question of if a person will ... but the question is when will a person bow and confess. On earth, or at the judgment? At the judgment it will be too late.

Not always. Fear is a factor too. The fear that Christ won't accept them or that they'll mess up and God will take away their salvation is also a factor for some. This is one of the things that hold me back. Not every non-believer is prideful. I'm not too proud, I'm scared.

[momster]

If only there weren't so many other verses in the bible indicating that following Jesus as Lord is what saves a person, not just believing that he was who he said he was. As it says in the bible, demons believe, and they tremble. Avoiding hell is the most difficult thing on earth to do. According to the bible, only a "few" manage to avoid it, while many end up there.

I would LOVE other people's insight on this. I am so far from perfect and mess up every day without even trying. There is also a reconcilliation matter that needs tending to in my life that I am loath to do as it will inevitably just bring more grief to my - and possibly family's life. If I am not following through is that not following the Lord? (not to mention the countless gazillion things I do/choose not to do each day). So not to sound completely confused, on the one hand we have Romans 10:13 and John 3:16 and yet on the other it sounds like actions are involved as well. What happens if the actions - mine - are very small? (at least to me)

This also makes me think about another thread that was floating around here a few weeks/months (?) ago - the Barna research thread that talked about some of the beliefs that born again Christians say they have. I'm wording this all wrong 'cause I'm exhaused, but there were a number of items that people believe in that aren't scriptural. They evaluated several things:

*Believing that absolute moral truths exist.
*Such truths are defined by the Bible.
*Jesus Christ lived a sinless life.
*God is the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator and still rules today.
*Salvation is a gift of God and cannot be earned.
*Christians have a responsibility to share their faith in Christ.
*Satan is real.
*The Bible is accurate in all its teachings.

I know so many people that do not fit the bill here (they believe the above emphatically) that it makes me wonder A) where are these born again Christians that think this way and then B) If there seem to be so many people around me that say that they are born again and act it/believe contrary to what the survey said am I the one that is messed up? (Note: I believe the above as well)

[gratefulone]

:wave

Hi rsraider -

You mentioned fear of two things. The first is that God would not accept you. What you need to understand is that God is longing for you to accept Him!

John 6:37 tells us that Jesus will not cast out anyone who will come to Him.

John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life! I have never seen a version that says God so loved the world, except for rsraider. . .

Jesus came to save all sinners:
I Timothy 1:15: "It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all."

Romans 5:6-8: "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."


The second fear you mentioned is the possibility of losing salvation once you have it. That very subject has been debated many times on this board, but let me give you a few more scriptures. . .

Ephesians 4:30 tells us that we are sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 1:13 also tells us that we are sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, given to us as a pledge of our inheritance. . .

Jude 24: "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy. . . "

Hebrews 10:10, 14: "By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." "For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified."

Romans 8:38-39: "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

There are soooo many verses, but I will leave you with one last reference. I Corinthians 3:11-15 tells us that even if we backslide after salvation, we may suffer some loss (rewards, etc. . . ) BUT we will still have our salvation!

I don't want to just address your fears by throwing Bible verses at you. However, you sound as if you know you need the Lord but that you have some fears and doubts to get past. Please let me encourage you to address those fears immediately! Time is sooo very short!! Please send me a PM if you wish to talk some more.

I am praying that the Holy Spirit will continue to pursue you until you give in!! :D:

Kim

[Suzy]

The 4 words you don't want to hear at the last judgment...

"I don't know you."

[bazza]

Imagine a dove flying over a very high mountain and removing a grain of rock....a thousand years later the dove flies over and takes another grain....when the mountain is finally gone then it is the beginning of eternity.

bazza

[TonyLee]

If only there weren't so many other verses in the bible indicating that following Jesus as Lord is what saves a person, not just believing that he was who he said he was. As it says in the bible, demons believe, and they tremble. Avoiding hell is the most difficult thing on earth to do. According to the bible, only a "few" manage to avoid it, while many end up there.

Only a few will see themselves as hell-deserving sinners who need to repent of their sinful ways and admit that they need Christ. It's not that God made salvation so difficult to obtain that only the elite can grasp it. Anyone who truly comes to Christ for salvation wanting to turn from sin is given a new nature that wants to please Christ and forsake the world. Salvation is not hard, but most people are too proud to admit they are hell bound and will not bow before Christ as sinners.

[My Abba's Child]

Not always. Fear is a factor too. The fear that Christ won't accept them or that they'll mess up and God will take away their salvation is also a factor for some. This is one of the things that hold me back. Not every non-believer is prideful. I'm not too proud, I'm scared.

Jesus CHOSE to suffer and die for you rsraider... why would He not accept something that His blood bought? Salvation is a gift that you cannot earn, how can it be something you can lose? God is no 'takerbacker' as my boys say. :laugh What could possibly scare you about loving the One who created you, blesses you, and loved you enough to die for you? It sounds like your heart yearns to know the joy, love and security of Jesus' salvation. It sounds also, however, as if you've been let down a time or two by other people. Let me assure you... I've been there. Other people's attitudes and actions kept me from experiencing God's love for 25 years. Let me assure you further that God is NOT like other people. He does not make mistakes, He does not have accidents, and He does not sin... He will NEVER let you down nor disappoint you, rsraider.

This is the God who left behind His throne of glory, His heavenly riches and His angelic praise to become a simple man, a hard-working man and a poor man for most of His life, who chose to live a 100% holy and righteous and sinless life so that, when it came time for Him to lay down His life for YOU, He would be spotless and worthy to take your sin upon His own body and pay the full price for it with His blood, His death because He loves YOU, rsraider, and He wants you to be by His side for all eternity in heaven.

He went through every pain, every sorrow, every betrayal... He felt used when His own mother put Him in the position of either dishonoring her or using His heavenly powers to fulfill her selfish request (anyone ever felt used by a loved one before?), He felt betrayed as one of His closest friends sold Him out for a handful of silver, the very people who were singing praises and hosannas to Him just the week before were screaming for His crucifixion... even scourging was not enough blood for them.... every pain, every sorrow, every temptation that is common to man, He has experienced, He knows how you feel and He stands before the Father's righteous throne and makes intercessions for you. His gift is, that when you call upon His power, His grace and His love with all of your mind, with all of your heart, and with all of your strength, He takes upon Himself your sinful life and credits you with His sinless life. All He asks in return is that you love Him back.

He will never turn anyone away who calls upon His name, you cannot lose an unearned gift, and no power on this earth or in the heavenlies can snatch you from God's Almighty hands once you entrust yourself to Him. Fear not, rsraider.... trust in Him. Follow the Holy Spirit's calling...

Acknowledge that you are a sinner and cannot EVER be righteous on your own. Believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and YOU WILL BE SAVED!! It's an iron-clad guarantee, my friend, and you will be eternally sealed by the Holy Spirit as a citizen of heaven and a child of God!

In His love,

[My Abba's Child]

I would LOVE other people's insight on this. I am so far from perfect and mess up every day without even trying. There is also a reconcilliation matter that needs tending to in my life that I am loath to do as it will inevitably just bring more grief to my - and possibly family's life. If I am not following through is that not following the Lord? (not to mention the countless gazillion things I do/choose not to do each day). So not to sound completely confused, on the one hand we have Romans 10:13 and John 3:16 and yet on the other it sounds like actions are involved as well. What happens if the actions - mine - are very small? (at least to me)

This also makes me think about another thread that was floating around here a few weeks/months (?) ago - the Barna research thread that talked about some of the beliefs that born again Christians say they have. I'm wording this all wrong 'cause I'm exhaused, but there were a number of items that people believe in that aren't scriptural. They evaluated several things:

*Believing that absolute moral truths exist.
*Such truths are defined by the Bible.
*Jesus Christ lived a sinless life.
*God is the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator and still rules today.
*Salvation is a gift of God and cannot be earned.
*Christians have a responsibility to share their faith in Christ.
*Satan is real.
*The Bible is accurate in all its teachings.

I know so many people that do not fit the bill here (they believe the above emphatically) that it makes me wonder A) where are these born again Christians that think this way and then B) If there seem to be so many people around me that say that they are born again and act it/believe contrary to what the survey said am I the one that is messed up? (Note: I believe the above as well)

Trust in the Lord and care not what other people say, think or do. Remember, the River Jordan didn't divide for the Levites until they set foot in the water. God guides us, then waits for us to obey, THEN He works His power in our lives. :nod He told Abraham to leave everything he knew his whole life to go to a land that He would show him... let Him bless you by allowing Him to guide your life the way He would have you go as well. :thumb

Which of those things with the asterisk beside them aren't Scriptural? Which things are you questioning? There are so many different 'gospel messages' going around these days... there are SO many people who think they are 'saved' because they did this or said that, but who have never heard the true GOSPEL. Jesus wants a relationship with US! He wants to give us His sinless life in exchange for our sinful lives so that we can be with Him for eternity in heaven! But, Jesus said, "He who loves Me will obey Me." How many times do people hear THAT these days??? So, they said The Prayer, they go to church everytime the door's open, but, they think since they said The Prayer and sit through church, they are free to live as they choose because they're "Saved and Forgiven". No relationship, no love, just fire insurance. It's the relationship that leads to the changed life that makes you a Christian.

In His love,

[Mountain Girl]

Not always. Fear is a factor too. The fear that Christ won't accept them or that they'll mess up and God will take away their salvation is also a factor for some.


Christ accepts you just are. I was rebellious, very self-centered, and very much NOT interested in God. I don't know why He even gave me a second thought. But praise the Lord, He did. He changed me from the inside out......I became "born again", a "new creature in Christ". He'll do the same for you. Oh, and yes I've "messed up" since I became Christian. I fall down, but Jesus picks me up, dusts me off, and sets me on the right path again.


This is one of the things that hold me back. Not every non-believer is prideful. I'm not too proud, I'm scared.


"God hasn't given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and a sound mind."
2 Timothy 1:7

Satan would like nothing better than to prevent you from giving your life to the Lord. He's trying to plant doubt and fear in you.

Jesus knows you better than you know yourself, and loves you more than you could imagine.

[momster]

Hi Abba's Child :wave I'm not saying the asterisked items weren't scriptural - just that I think it was a majority of people who said that they were born again didn't necessarily believe that. They believed something other than what was said in scripture. I don't have the percentages and break downs, but when it came down to the end unfortunately only a few actually believed that. So I wasn't questioning them - sorry for lack of clarity there.

It's the part "He who loves Me will obey Me" that nudges me every now and then. Yes, I have accepted Christ as my Savior and I try to follow Him. Sometimes it is at night when I look back over the day that has passed and think, Wow I really messed up there, or I really should have done such and such. It is not so much the reflection. It is also remembering when during the day I (for example) totally lost it with someone and KNEW what to do/not to do (like feeling the Holy Spirit warn me against whatever I was doing) but didn't listen. That's the part I may think of at night and say I definitely did not obey there. Don't misunderstand me. I do try to do what the Lord would want me to - I just mess up often - with a capital O. It is then that I think about salvation. Does obey = salvation? What about disobedience? What if you obey the Lord 50% of the time and disobey him the other 50%? How does that fit into the picture?

[TnTMom]

Jesus CHOSE to suffer and die for you rsraider... why would He not accept something that His blood bought? Salvation is a gift that you cannot earn, how can it be something you can lose? God is no 'takerbacker' as my boys say. :laugh What could possibly scare you about loving the One who created you, blesses you, and loved you enough to die for you? It sounds like your heart yearns to know the joy, love and security of Jesus' salvation. It sounds also, however, as if you've been let down a time or two by other people. Let me assure you... I've been there. Other people's attitudes and actions kept me from experiencing God's love for 25 years. Let me assure you further that God is NOT like other people. He does not make mistakes, He does not have accidents, and He does not sin... He will NEVER let you down nor disappoint you, rsraider.

This is the God who left behind His throne of glory, His heavenly riches and His angelic praise to become a simple man, a hard-working man and a poor man for most of His life, who chose to live a 100% holy and righteous and sinless life so that, when it came time for Him to lay down His life for YOU, He would be spotless and worthy to take your sin upon His own body and pay the full price for it with His blood, His death because He loves YOU, rsraider, and He wants you to be by His side for all eternity in heaven.

He went through every pain, every sorrow, every betrayal... He felt used when His own mother put Him in the position of either dishonoring her or using His heavenly powers to fulfill her selfish request (anyone ever felt used by a loved one before?), He felt betrayed as one of His closest friends sold Him out for a handful of silver, the very people who were singing praises and hosannas to Him just the week before were screaming for His crucifixion... even scourging was not enough blood for them.... every pain, every sorrow, every temptation that is common to man, He has experienced, He knows how you feel and He stands before the Father's righteous throne and makes intercessions for you. His gift is, that when you call upon His power, His grace and His love with all of your mind, with all of your heart, and with all of your strength, He takes upon Himself your sinful life and credits you with His sinless life. All He asks in return is that you love Him back.

He will never turn anyone away who calls upon His name, you cannot lose an unearned gift, and no power on this earth or in the heavenlies can snatch you from God's Almighty hands once you entrust yourself to Him. Fear not, rsraider.... trust in Him. Follow the Holy Spirit's calling...

Acknowledge that you are a sinner and cannot EVER be righteous on your own. Believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and YOU WILL BE SAVED!! It's an iron-clad guarantee, my friend, and you will be eternally sealed by the Holy Spirit as a citizen of heaven and a child of God!

In His love,

What a wonderful post. Thank you very much for sharing this. And to rsraider God is always faithful, just turn to him and allows his salvation into your life. I'm praying for both of you!

[His4ever]

That's so sad. This young man will be in everlasting regret that he didn't accept the gospel when he had the chance. Unless, of course, he went home and thought about it and did accept Christ.

[Porkchop]

Things like this are really hard to understand/accept when your parents/inlaws dont believe. My MIL is one of the nicest persons I have ever meet but she can't believe that God will send her to hell for simply not believing and accepting the gift that Jesus Christ has offered us. I have had minor burns, major surgery so I have been in excrutiating pain a few times for extended periods of time but I would take a pain killer and fall asleep waking to less pain each time. On a strictly human level I can imagine being seperated from my wife and my kids to torment in a burning sulfer filled pit and I my heart and stomach cringe in fear of that! But I can not imagine what it would be like to be seperated from GOD and be aware and fully conscience! It is too horrible to try to imigine!

[Selah]

Not always. Fear is a factor too. The fear that Christ won't accept them or that they'll mess up and God will take away their salvation is also a factor for some. This is one of the things that hold me back. Not every non-believer is prideful. I'm not too proud, I'm scared.

I would have to disagree. It is pride that keeps us from taking a step where we fear we might be rejected.

To think about it from the opposite perspective--if someone is just afraid that Jesus won't accept them and that they will go to hell after all, then what would they have to lose by accepting Christ as their Savior and laying down their rights at His feet anyway?

Fear of being rejected therefore stems from pride saying, "I don't want to be rejected, so I reject you first." It is pridefulness and selfishness in disguise.

:(:

[Selah]

It's the part "He who loves Me will obey Me" that nudges me every now and then. Yes, I have accepted Christ as my Savior and I try to follow Him. Sometimes it is at night when I look back over the day that has passed and think, Wow I really messed up there, or I really should have done such and such. It is not so much the reflection. It is also remembering when during the day I (for example) totally lost it with someone and KNEW what to do/not to do (like feeling the Holy Spirit warn me against whatever I was doing) but didn't listen. That's the part I may think of at night and say I definitely did not obey there. Don't misunderstand me. I do try to do what the Lord would want me to - I just mess up often - with a capital O. It is then that I think about salvation. Does obey = salvation? What about disobedience? What if you obey the Lord 50% of the time and disobey him the other 50%? How does that fit into the picture?

It's a pattern. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Even Paul had his thorn.

It is the pattern of fruit in one's life that we need to examine (indeed, we are called to examine ourselves "daily" to ensure that "we are in the faith") and should cause us to continue to run--to pursue the calling whatever else is going on around us.

That's because we don't grow or develop the fruit within our own lives; instead, Jesus pre-ordained us for good works and He works them through us. So if we are submissive to Him, we should see those things which are good works happen within our lives because of God using us. :):

And as noted, obey = love. :nod

So when we fall, we repent, and God's blessing of grace makes up the "difference". :):

[godservant]

What happens if you do something during the day and don't realize that you did something that the Lord would not like and you don't ask for forgiveness? Are you condemed then? Hope this makes sence!

[Tman]

Is it true that God already knows who will go to hell? If so what is the point? Also what happens to the people that never knew Christ as their personal savior because they never heard of Christ and died. Do they automatically go to hell??? What is so scary about all of this is that so many people on this board really belive that they will make it to heaven and wind up burning in hell instead(sends chills up my spine). Even though there is no actual proof that either one exsist it is just ones belief in the afterlife, and mind you I know just because there is no proof does'nt mean it does not exsist. This is just mind blowing!!!

[Hootmon]

Is it true that God already knows who will go to hell? God declares the End from the Beginning.

If so what is the point? Your choice counts.


Also what happens to the people that never knew Christ as their personal savior because they never heard of Christ and died. Do they automatically go to hell??? The amount/type of information available to you is taken into consideration.


What is so scary about all of this is that so many people on this board really belive that they will make it to heaven and wind up burning in hell instead... :confused

[My Abba's Child]

Hi Abba's Child :wave I'm not saying the asterisked items weren't scriptural - just that I think it was a majority of people who said that they were born again didn't necessarily believe that. They believed something other than what was said in scripture. I don't have the percentages and break downs, but when it came down to the end unfortunately only a few actually believed that. So I wasn't questioning them - sorry for lack of clarity there.

It's the part "He who loves Me will obey Me" that nudges me every now and then. Yes, I have accepted Christ as my Savior and I try to follow Him. Sometimes it is at night when I look back over the day that has passed and think, Wow I really messed up there, or I really should have done such and such. It is not so much the reflection. It is also remembering when during the day I (for example) totally lost it with someone and KNEW what to do/not to do (like feeling the Holy Spirit warn me against whatever I was doing) but didn't listen. That's the part I may think of at night and say I definitely did not obey there. Don't misunderstand me. I do try to do what the Lord would want me to - I just mess up often - with a capital O. It is then that I think about salvation. Does obey = salvation? What about disobedience? What if you obey the Lord 50% of the time and disobey him the other 50%? How does that fit into the picture?

God's will is to create, in us, the image of His Son, Jesus. This is not going to happen immediately, and God knows this. We are not going to be sinless at the moment of salvation. Sanctification is a life-long process. :): God knows your HEART, He knows whether you have that loving relationship and that desire to be obedient. God, who began a good work in you is FAITHFUL to complete it. But, as for me at least... this is a HUUUGE job! :lol It takes awhile to break down the strongholds of sin, it takes awhile to break down the pride, it takes awhile to bring about a right relationship because God refuses, even to those who chose to allow Him to work in our lives, to take away our free will. So, grace by faith = salvation, but obedience = love and that's an ongoing process of sanctification. I hope this helps! :D:

In His love,

[ATYCLB]

Also what happens to the people that never knew Christ as their personal savior because they never heard of Christ and died. Do they automatically go to hell???Creation is proof of God's existence, and His law is written on the hearts of man.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen,
being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and
Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Romans 1:20

They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience
also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that
day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
Romans 2:15, 16

[My Abba's Child]

Is it true that God already knows who will go to hell? If so what is the point? Also what happens to the people that never knew Christ as their personal savior because they never heard of Christ and died. Do they automatically go to hell??? What is so scary about all of this is that so many people on this board really belive that they will make it to heaven and wind up burning in hell instead(sends chills up my spine). Even though there is no actual proof that either one exsist it is just ones belief in the afterlife, and mind you I know just because there is no proof does'nt mean it does not exsist. This is just mind blowing!!!

The problem is NOT what happens to other people who never heard of Christ and died, the problem is that YOU HAVE heard of Christ Jesus and you still have the chance to choose His gift of love and eternal life by grace through faith, or you choose to reject these gifts and therefore have NO EXCUSE. What excuse will YOU give?? God already knows who will go to hell... the POINT is that YOU don't. :): It's YOUR free will and YOUR choice where YOU will end up.

At the Great White Throne judgement, people will be divided right and left based on, not their knowledge or their faith, but how they have treated other people, and therefore Lord Jesus Himself. But, Tman.... you HAVE heard of Christ, so, based on that, do you have any questions as to how to have a joyful, loving relationship with Christ Jesus that brings you abundant life both here and in the hereafter, yourself? Please feel free to pm me. :):

In His love,

[Selah]

What happens if you do something during the day and don't realize that you did something that the Lord would not like and you don't ask for forgiveness? Are you condemed then? Hope this makes sence!

Grace happens.

The Holy Spirit will often convict us of sin and we should respond with repentence. However we will all sin in ways that we aren't aware of. That's why scriptures say that we should turn to the Lord and ask Him to search our hearts and expose any sin that we don't even know about... This is all part of the process of sanctification. :):

But the purpose of sanctification is to gradually mold us into the image of Christ. The Lord isn't going to address every sin in our lives immediately--He will expose them in ways that provide the most benefit to our growth and maturity in Him.

There are sins in my life that the Lord hasn't addressed yet, but will in the future. And that's the same with all of us. It's one of the many reasons that our Christian walk will never get "old" down here... :B:

So the short answer to your question is that, for the believer, God extends grace to us for the sins we know about and repent, and for the sins that we don't even know we commit!

It's one of the many, many reasons we can say with assurance that the Lord God is a very loving God. :):

[Morningstarlet]

I would have to disagree. It is pride that keeps us from taking a step where we fear we might be rejected.

To think about it from the opposite perspective--if someone is just afraid that Jesus won't accept them and that they will go to hell after all, then what would they have to lose by accepting Christ as their Savior and laying down their rights at His feet anyway?

Fear of being rejected therefore stems from pride saying, "I don't want to be rejected, so I reject you first." It is pridefulness and selfishness in disguise.

:(:

Exactly, there is always pride at the root.

[coltrek]

and also the love of money is another cause to reject Christ.

[penny4867]

Thanks for the wake up call m281920,

I become complacent at times, studying prophecy, chatting to my fellow Christians on such as RR, living my comfortable lifestyle, safe in the knowledge I am saved through the blood of Christ.....:redface

Reading articles such as this one reminds me what I should be doing, praying for my loved ones, my neighbours, my colleagues, my acquaintances and my enemies.
Telling the Truth to all I encounter who are unsaved.
Finding time to spread the Good News or at least supporting Spirit filled ministries who are actively spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Eternity is a long time, and to spend it in Hell is an unbearable thought, I would not wish that future on anyone.
It makes me realise the love Jesus speaks of really is all forgiving.

May God forgive my self centred, passive approach to my faith, may He strengthen me to follow His will, and may He fill me with love for all who cross my path.

penny

[big al]

... to proud to admit sin.

I have a problem with this. When I sin, I try to say I didn't do such a thing and forget that it ever happened. I now am confessing my sins - realizing that I actually sinned.

Oh ya, thanks for the good post. :thumb