Serious business

My business is a serious one. It really is a matter of life and death. Being a Christian is kind of like being pregnant. What I mean to say is you either are or you aren’t. Four times Jennifer was 100% pregnant when I was kind of hoping she was just a little bit pregnant kids don’t always come at the right time, right?

I have a prayer list I keep in my Bible. It has a list of people that I love but don’t know Jesus. I was saddened recently when one of those people died see the Bible says we are all going to die physically but no one has to die the second death, a spiritual death (Revelation 21:8).

Heaven and Hell are very real places. Just like at Christmas you go to your mother in law's or you don’t. Heaven is like that. You either go there or you don’t and if you don’t, well, it’s not good.

Our culture has been desensitized about Hell. We bleed purple at my house, so I love Dutch Meyer who played and coached at TCU way back in the day. Coach Meyer told his team, “Fight’em until Hell freezes over and then fight’em on the ice.” I appreciate what Coach Meyer was trying to say, but it trivializes Hell - a place where ice would be welcomed.

Years ago I remember being at a ministerial alliance meeting and one of the pastors told a joke. The punchline was, “What the hell was that?” Everyone laughed but me. I’m sure this confused pastor owed the cuss jar. I was ashamed at being there and maybe more ashamed that fellow pastors thought it was funny, but I digress. Hell is not a laughing matter. Hell is permanent (Luke 16:19-31). The thing that is most disturbing about this place is the lack of hope that comes as a result of eternal separation from Abba Father.

There are even some that never actually become part of the kingdom but they go to church, preach, serve in the nursery, do what we might call great things for God and they will end up in this place of outer darkness where there is permanent weeping (Matthew 8:12). These people will hear from Christ, “I never knew you, depart from Me (Matthew 7:2123) and they will experience “excruciating misery” and a thirst can never be quenched (Mark 9:47, 48, Luke 16:22-24).

I remember I skipped school once (don’t tell anybody, some think I am perfect). I was in my mother’s car, and I got caught in a flash flood - it was one of those times you know you have to call your dad because there is no way you are going to get out of the deep trouble you are in so you bite the bullet and call your parents. Dad might have been mad but at least dad was available. Hell does not afford you that. We live in a season of grace where God waits to hear people cry out to be saved (2 Peter 3:9, Romans 10:13) but once we die that season comes to end and there is no second opportunity to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior (Hebrews 9:27).

If you are reading this, it’s not too late. Let me know if I can help 972.921.4221.

He told me to tell you that.