It's both curious and tragic to me how people allow questions to hinder them heeding and receiving the truth God has revealed in His Word. It seems people imagine it is feasible, in exchange for a pledge of loyalty or belief (as if they are doing God a favour), that God satisfy their demands according to their ignorance. I don't want to be sharp and cutting, but I will be blunt: do not allow what you do not or cannot know blind you to God's proclaimed truth. Often we ask the wrong questions anyway.
As I was doing yard work this morning, it occurred to me the variety of questions people pose now vary, but every soul damned to hell for their sin will have one burning question: why didn't I believe Jesus when I had the chance? One of the great torments of hell is intense, nagging regret in light of God's reality and the knowledge of salvation was freely offered to you during your life on earth. The cautionary tale Jesus told of the rich man and Lazarus shows by the statements of the rich man in torment that he remembered his brothers; he remembered the luxuries of his old life. Whilst the rich man was tormented, Lazarus was comforted.
We all have regrets - things we wish we had done or said differently. Memories of past failures can be beneficial as they remind us to do better in the future. However, this luxury of "doing better in the future" is not be extended to those who burn in the lake of fire: their doomed future is sealed by their own sin, unbelief, and refusal of the Gospel. During their life they preferred darkness over the Light of the World Jesus Christ, and so into outer darkness they will be cast forever into an ocean of inescapable regret. I do not know that people will blame God or even the devil for their plight, for in their inmost being their conscience will acknowledge in the light of God's revealed glory they alone are to blame. The self-loathing people experience today will be nothing compared to their future in hell. The question, "Why, why, why didn't I listen?" will burn in the souls and minds of the damned as long as hellfire does. For all eternity, in light of what will be revealed, a satisfactory answer will never be found.
There is hope for those who will come to Jesus today in repentance and faith. The unceasing torment of hell can be exchanged for the comfort, joy, and peace of the presence of God through the price beyond measure Jesus Christ paid on Calvary. This is the Gospel truth all can enter into by God's grace through faith. Cling to your questions if you like, but they cannot save you. Even if God should rend the heavens and answer your questions, I expect His words would not satisfy - not being mixed with faith in you. Are you willing to come to Jesus that you might be saved? He does not need you, but if you will be saved from yourself you must relinquish all to Him. Instead of hiding behind vain questions, why don't you trust Jesus?
As I was doing yard work this morning, it occurred to me the variety of questions people pose now vary, but every soul damned to hell for their sin will have one burning question: why didn't I believe Jesus when I had the chance? One of the great torments of hell is intense, nagging regret in light of God's reality and the knowledge of salvation was freely offered to you during your life on earth. The cautionary tale Jesus told of the rich man and Lazarus shows by the statements of the rich man in torment that he remembered his brothers; he remembered the luxuries of his old life. Whilst the rich man was tormented, Lazarus was comforted.
We all have regrets - things we wish we had done or said differently. Memories of past failures can be beneficial as they remind us to do better in the future. However, this luxury of "doing better in the future" is not be extended to those who burn in the lake of fire: their doomed future is sealed by their own sin, unbelief, and refusal of the Gospel. During their life they preferred darkness over the Light of the World Jesus Christ, and so into outer darkness they will be cast forever into an ocean of inescapable regret. I do not know that people will blame God or even the devil for their plight, for in their inmost being their conscience will acknowledge in the light of God's revealed glory they alone are to blame. The self-loathing people experience today will be nothing compared to their future in hell. The question, "Why, why, why didn't I listen?" will burn in the souls and minds of the damned as long as hellfire does. For all eternity, in light of what will be revealed, a satisfactory answer will never be found.
There is hope for those who will come to Jesus today in repentance and faith. The unceasing torment of hell can be exchanged for the comfort, joy, and peace of the presence of God through the price beyond measure Jesus Christ paid on Calvary. This is the Gospel truth all can enter into by God's grace through faith. Cling to your questions if you like, but they cannot save you. Even if God should rend the heavens and answer your questions, I expect His words would not satisfy - not being mixed with faith in you. Are you willing to come to Jesus that you might be saved? He does not need you, but if you will be saved from yourself you must relinquish all to Him. Instead of hiding behind vain questions, why don't you trust Jesus?
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