That’s not fair. That’s not right. That is wrong. Have you ever heard someone say those statements? If you have kids or grandkids, you’ve heard the first statement for sure. This thought process started with my morning devotions reading in Ephesians 1:7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace;“
A devotion book I use every day was speaking about freedom. Freedom not in a physical sense, a freedom that doesn’t come from power but from submission, freedom that comes from giving instead of holding on to. A freedom where we are no longer called slaves, but sons and daughters. This freedom is given because of the love of Jesus and the sacrifice He made for every person for all of eternity. These may seem like contradictions, such as to be free, we surrender, or we submit, but truly in surrender there is freedom.
As the day went on, I had a conversation with a young man who says he believes in Heaven, but he does not believe in Hell. He even reminded me that Hell is not used in the original language, yes, I understand it is Hades. He asked if he could send me scriptures to show me why he believes what he believes. He then asked me a question that I found odd, Can I ask you what you believe about death? I answered, you can ask me any question you want. When it comes to my faith, I am always to be ready to give an account of what I believe and why I believe, not too blindly follow. Since being in Ukraine I have been asked some questions or heard statements that have blown my mind! Things that were maybe never taught in America because……well I don’t know why. Some things I’ve learned are because of the religion they have been taught here. So what do I do with those type of questions? Honestly, I look to mentors who have shared resources that focus on certain subjects with God’s Word, and I study……..and study…….and study.
With the belief of Heaven but not of Hell, to me that seems like a contradiction. Why?
That’s not fair. That’s not right. That is wrong. Who taught you the difference in what is right and what is wrong? What is good or bad? What is truth? What is a lie? Many if not most of us would say, our parents, maybe grandparents, relatives, those who raised us. Some reinforcements of what we were learning may have come from our schoolteachers, boy or girl scout leaders, Sunday school teachers, our pastor. Where did they learn about right and wrong, good and bad, truth and lies?
What is the compass or foundation that we use for these questions? Is it because it has always been this way, is it based upon societies views, the climate of what is or is not allowed? If there is no foundation for our belief system, then no one has the right to tell someone else: that is not fair, that is not right or that is wrong. The reason being is, for one person who has been taught that work is irrelevant, and it is okay to take from others, then to them this is right, good and honest. The other person who has been taught that you must work for what you have, and you do not take from others as this is stealing, which is wrong, bad and dishonest. So who is right? Who is wrong? If we do not have a foundation or moral compass, then whatever one does that is right in their own eyes, then there can be no judgment,
However, there is a foundation. I Corinthians 3: 10-11 “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
For some I just lost you. Oh yeah, the Bible as our foundation, as our moral compass? I don’t think so. Society changes, some would say it is evolving with knowledge. and abilities to see more than ever before. So then truth changes? A lie is not a lie…. only if you’re a politician 😉😂, couldn’t help myself there. If we do not have a foundation of truth, then no one has the right to tell someone they are wrong. If we do have a foundation of truth and there is a Heaven, then why would there not be a Hell?
Because God is just. In His love, in being just, there has to be a Hell. If not, then Jesus went to a cross, suffering in a way we will NEVER understand, died for what reason…… if God is not just. See it took the pure, holy blood of Jesus to become the attornment for my sin debt and your sin debt. We are given a freewill to choose, we can pay the debt OR we can accept the gift that is being offered. If there is no Hell, then why do I need the gift of salvation, why do I need my sins to be blotted out? If there is no foundation of truth, then we can live as we want and there should be no consequences.
We each have a conscience that is aware of right and wrong, that is searching for a missing part. As we try to fill that emptiness, some turn to drinking, drugs, sex, food, relationships, jobs, money…. something to fill the void. The void is our spirit which is dead from our sin nature that we are born with. That void can only be filled by One. John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
What is your foundation? What determines, right and wrong, good and bad, truth and lies. Society changes, truth never changes.
Hebrews 13:8 “ Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Revelation 1:8 “ I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
Look Up, Keep Serving Jesus, He is Worthy!