Going Up? - I

Roughly 6,815 people take their last breath everyday in America. Roughly 78% of these people register themselves as a Christian. According to this statistic we can rest assured that roughly 5316 Americans die and then go to heaven every day. However, a separate study shows that only 9% of people in America say that Christ is the most important thing in their life. If only 9% of people consider Christ more important than anything else, then that means only 613 Americans will die today and in the end wind up in Heaven.

613 is a small number. MSU has roughly 6000 students attending its campus. If all of MSU died today, in one instance, only one tenth of the students would find themselves going to heaven. There is a good chance that between classes, the café, and other social gatherings we probably see more than 200 different people each day. Statistically only 20 of them will be in heaven. Every day you walk by 180 souls that will, in the end, not be found in heaven.

Annhilationism is a sect of Christianity that does not believe Hell exists. Rob Bell is a popular pastor who is leading this movement in America. Non-believers are calling this idea the modern Christianity movement because it is non-exclusive, or in other words it’s stating that anyone can go to heaven and that no one will suffer in Hell for eternity.

 Two years ago a student wrote to the school newspaper about Christianity. Without checking their facts and without hesitation the paper published his story and claim. In this paper the student said that Christianity is a dying religion now that the fear of hell is gone. The student-writer believed that hell was the only motivator the church could use to cohort new Christians into believing.

But this does introduce a good question. Does Hell exist?

·         Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin are death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ”

We can infer that sin is the leading cause of death among people. This verse also explains that there is a difference between life and death. Only the gift of God, Jesus Christ, can take you from the island of death to the island of life.

·         Revelation 20:15 – “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

When we die on this planet only our biological container ceases to function. In reality our soul lives forever. There is more than just physical death though. Anyone that is still guilty of his crime of sin will suffer a second death, a spiritual one.

·         Matthew 25:46 – “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: But the righteous into life eternal.”

When second death is issued to sinners they go into everlasting punishment. It’s easy to think about eternity in heaven for us, but it’s hard to think about eternity in Hell for our unsaved friends. The happiness that we have for our own sake in heaven should be matched by our discontent with the sake of those headed to hell.

·         John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son, and whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

It’s clearly been displayed how someone can gain life in Christ. We need to kneel down and accept the blood of the Lamb that is Christ. We need to be so enveloped in the Love of God’s sacrifice that we can do nothing but live the life that He has called us to live. Most importantly we have to take the knowledge of our “Get Out Of Hell Free” card and share it with everyone. My question is how are you going to do that?