Word@Work Luke255 - Luke 16:25-26
Published: Tue, 12/14/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
THE ETERNAL CHASM
Luke 16:25-26 "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' (NIV)
Adventure stories always include some impossible barrier which has to be overcome for the hero to survive: locked doors, ravines, crevasses, or wide fast flowing rivers. But somehow, against all logic, a solution is found and the main character wins through. Many people think that they will be able to manage the life after death in the same way, and be their own eternal hero. But they are seriously deceived.
Jesus says that the gap between heaven and hell is so vast that there is no way to cross over. The decision about destiny is made in this life alone. For those in hell, there is no turning back, no second chance and nothing to make the agony better. There is no comforter, no saviour and no love for those who have rejected the pleadings of the Holy Spirit, the atoning sacrifice of Christ and the loving invitation of Father God. See www.crosscheck.org.uk to know more.
That is why Jesus came; to bear the sins of the world, to enter the heart of every repentant believer who is then born into an eternal life with God - which starts now and continues for ever. God is not unjust; He is kind and loving but His salvation must be received now. 2 Cor. 6:2b says, "I tell you, now is the time of God's favour, now is the day of salvation." Wise people realise that God does not offer us salvation as an optional insurance policy or convenience commodity. No - the salvation which comes through Jesus is to rescue us from the wrath of God against our sins and from hell itself. So this teaching of Jesus is essential to clear our mind, alert our soul to eternal danger and stir our spirit to ensure we have peace with God and a confident expectation of heaven. It should also put fresh urgency into our prayers for our friends and colleagues, that they may understand the gospel and respond to God's grace.
Prayer: Dear Lord God and loving heavenly Father. Thank You for the clarity of Jesus' teaching, reminding me that hell is a reality and that eternal salvation through His blood can only be received in this life. Help me to treasure this truth, to share it and to live by it. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Subscribe | View Archive | Donate | W@W Facebook Group
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Adventure stories always include some impossible barrier which has to be overcome for the hero to survive: locked doors, ravines, crevasses, or wide fast flowing rivers. But somehow, against all logic, a solution is found and the main character wins through. Many people think that they will be able to manage the life after death in the same way, and be their own eternal hero. But they are seriously deceived.
Jesus says that the gap between heaven and hell is so vast that there is no way to cross over. The decision about destiny is made in this life alone. For those in hell, there is no turning back, no second chance and nothing to make the agony better. There is no comforter, no saviour and no love for those who have rejected the pleadings of the Holy Spirit, the atoning sacrifice of Christ and the loving invitation of Father God. See www.crosscheck.org.uk to know more.
That is why Jesus came; to bear the sins of the world, to enter the heart of every repentant believer who is then born into an eternal life with God - which starts now and continues for ever. God is not unjust; He is kind and loving but His salvation must be received now. 2 Cor. 6:2b says, "I tell you, now is the time of God's favour, now is the day of salvation." Wise people realise that God does not offer us salvation as an optional insurance policy or convenience commodity. No - the salvation which comes through Jesus is to rescue us from the wrath of God against our sins and from hell itself. So this teaching of Jesus is essential to clear our mind, alert our soul to eternal danger and stir our spirit to ensure we have peace with God and a confident expectation of heaven. It should also put fresh urgency into our prayers for our friends and colleagues, that they may understand the gospel and respond to God's grace.
Prayer: Dear Lord God and loving heavenly Father. Thank You for the clarity of Jesus' teaching, reminding me that hell is a reality and that eternal salvation through His blood can only be received in this life. Help me to treasure this truth, to share it and to live by it. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Your next Word@Work will be sent on
W@WLuke255 | Word@Work © Dr Paul Adams 2010 | Provided by BeaconLight | Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk
Subscribe | View Archive | Donate | W@W Facebook Group