My inspiration for this post strangely enough comes from a movie trailer. The trailer was for a movie about an exorcism. It was a all dark screen and then these creepy red letters faded in that read, "If you believe in God, Then you Must believe in the Devil." Oddly enough this scary commercial is actually very correct. I have also been taking classes all month about various religions and their believes. Some of the faiths that we were examining did not believe in any form of Hell. This class and some conversations that spurred from it got me thinking more and more about Hell. What it means, and what it doesn't mean etc.
Now the first thing to understand is that Hell is real. It is a real place where people really will go. Maybe this is a simple concept for some people, but there are lots of faiths that do not believe in Hell. Hell is important to my faith and here is why. Hell means that first off there is a choice. It means that I have to make a decision and live with the consequences of my actions. It also means that I have the power to determine where I end up. Hell also is accountability. If there is no Hell, and no punishment, then why should I follow the rules. Now please don't go off saying 'you should follow the rules because you want to,' my point is simply that I know what is in store for me if I choose to reject Jesus. Another thing is that Hell, means that God is perfect and just. Without some form of punishment / wrath then God is not acting justly. He is granting favoritism to certain people. The fact is that the knowledge of good and evil is made known to all, and there are real significant choices before us. Hell really is a punishment too. I have had conversations with people that believe that Hell is just a place where God doesn't 'visit'. While Hell is definitely separate from God and from Heaven, make no mistake, Hell is suffering. Final Hell is called the Lake of Fire. Vivid words to describe a intense form of suffering.
Now I suppose I could end my post here, but there are a few more points I want to make.
The first point is that Satan, much like Hell is also real. He really exists and is really on the prowl in the world right now. I know first hand just how twisted and deceitful he and followers can be. Satan is not some being with red skin and a pitch fork, like he is usually pictured in the movies, or comics about him. The 'Prince' of this world is very sneaky and is on the prowl to confuse and destroy Christ followers. A friend of mine said it to me in a way that really stood out, they said "[He is after you], because he hates you, and because you [as a Christian] are dangerous." Satan is trying to return people to the bondage of slavery where they once served.
Another thing I want to bring up is this argument that I heard from someone recently. "In our modern system of justice, penalties for breaking laws are based on the law that is broken. There is always a way to 'pay off' your debt to society. Even the death penalty, after someone is put to death, they have paid their debt. Why is it that People suffer eternally in Hell, and that debt cannot ever be paid off?"
To this my response is what someone who rejects Jesus is doing, is rejecting his salvation and his eternal life.
Since the life that he is offering is eternal, it seems to do justice to say that the penalty should also be eternal.
So all of this Hell/Satan/Punishment stuff being said, here are some things we can do.
1. Choose Jesus.
There really is alot at stake here. Following Jesus is about so much more than this life here on earth.
2. Reject Satan.
He will be right there to 'take you back' in a heartbeat. He will bring your deepest desires into view. He will speaking nothing but lies to you. Reject everything he says, and if it is bad enough, speak truth back, Satan is completely powerless against the power of truth, and the Word of God.
3. Be Open.
If you are confused about Jesus, or life after death, or Hell or Satan, talk to someone. Ask questions, look through Scripture. If you are conflicted by the enemy, get help from people, and become equip with truth and knowledge to defend yourself with the Sword of Righteousness that we call truth.
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