Imagine that enemies have infiltrated our country, and you are trying to make your way forward amidst intense fighting. Alone. Seeing snarling faces brandishing weapons meant to kill you. Feeling the darkness surrounding you, where no smiling face will comfort you.

Horrified, you are then thrown into the raging fire of a burning building, but are not overcome by the smoke. Your body does not burn up. It just burns…and burns…and burns…forever…forever…forever…

Grotesque wild beasts (demons) bite at you and tear your flesh, and there is no one to save you. And all the while, you are tormented by the knowledge that you chose to be there! You were begged not to go, but you chose this!

You remember Christmas at home with your family, friends and loved ones all around. Plenty of food and drink and laughter. Oh, what you would give for a glass of water…but you chose this!!

The words of those who tried to keep you from coming here ring in your ears eternally, and you are haunted by memories of all the chances you had to make a different choice. They told you what you could expect. But you thought it would never happen to you.

1 Corinthians 2:9 states that, “…No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” We know heaven is a wonderful place. Conversely, it is apparent from Jesus’ description of hell, that we can’t even imagine the horror of it.

Everyone wants to talk about the love of God. I know I would rather focus on that myself. It’s much more comfortable to tell someone that God loves them, than to talk about His wrath that will see them in hell one day if they don’t come to Christ for forgiveness. Heartbreaking. 💔

God hates sin. Every person alive is a sinner.  We can either take the one way God has provided to escape His wrath against sin (Jesus), or take the punishment for eternity. There are only two choices.

The Bible (God’s word) teaches:

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.
John 3:16‭-‬18 CSB

…God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him… But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed… nailed to a cross and killed… But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.
Acts of the Apostles 2:22‭-‬24 NLT

…”Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…”
Acts 2:38 CSB

If you would like to do this now, you can pray right where you are.

Dear Jesus,

I know I’m a sinner, and I can’t save myself. Please forgive me.

I’m trusting in You to save me – Who died in my place for my sin and rose victorious over death. Thank You, thank You, thank You! I want to follow You for the rest of my life, and spend eternity in heaven with You.

If you prayed this prayer, and meant it with all your heart, you are a brand new person in Christ beginning a brand new life. I encourage you to read the Bible every day, and pray. The book of John is a good place to start. Find a church that teaches and preaches the Bible, and only the Bible. They will help you grow as a Christian.

If you did trust Christ today while reading this, I would love to know that and rejoice with you.  Welcome to the family of God!