| Hell. Is it just a cussword? |
Hell. We’ve heard this word used often, mostly as what we call a “cussword”.
These were the type of words our grandparents would tell us “they will wash your
mouth out with soap”. This was a very unpleasant experience as a child, and
because the mere threat brought back the texture and taste of a zest bar, we kids
thought better of using such language.
As children, we heard church pastors proclaim if we didn’t “get saved” and live for
God, we would go to hell. This proclamation was usually followed by verbose
descriptions of inner earth caverns, goulish figures, and fires that could not be put
out. We were told you could never escape such a place, and you wouldn’t die, you
would be tortured for eternity. Such is the stuff nightmares are made of…
As teenagers, we grew a little braver, and we thought a lot smarter, and decided it
was “OK” to pepper our language with such a word. It made us seem “cool” and
one of the crowd. This helped build our self esteem in an ever changing, always
uncertain, who will be your friend, world. Besides, as teenagers, we figure the
church pastors are just trying to scare people into staying in church, you know, so
they’ll give money…
Finally, here we are as adults. No one tells us what to do, where to live, how to
dress, and especially what to say. We’ll say whatever the *@ll we want to! This
made us feel tough, independent, and strong. Talk like that will scare our kids into
obeying and honoring us as parents. We read all the books, we’ve seen all the
movies, and listened to Dr. Phil on TV. Today’s society dictates that everyone,
everything, and every word be “politically correct”, We don’t single anyone out as
different, we accept their differences in lifestyle, culture, and language. Let’s call it
diversity, that’s it, diversity. Everyone goes to church as a political or fashion
statement. There is no more talk of “fire and brimstone” or “sinners”. We all
accept everyone else just as they are – no strings or judgement attached. So
what if they don’t read, accept or follow God given principles – let’s all just love
each other and get along…
Nowadays... sometimes... not too often, a lone “plain vanilla preacher” will stand up
in his small church, and to his small congregation, preach an old fashioned
salvation message. It goes something like this… In the beginning God created the
world, and because of man’s wrong against God, He sent His only son, Jesus, as a
sacrifice for all our wrongs throughout time. Jesus suffered great agony and died
on the cross for us, all of us, so we wouldn’t have to pay the price for our
wrongdoing (is that what “sin” means?)”. Three days later, Jesus rose from the
dead, and ascended into heaven to make a place for us. A place where we will live
with Him forever – eternity. At this point an elderly organist will take a cue from the
pastor and begin playing the old song “Just as I am without one plea, but that your
blood was shed for me. And that thou biddest come to thee. Oh Lamb of God, I
come, I come.” While the song plays softly, the pastor pleads with those in the
congregation, “Won’t you come forward and give your heart to Jesus? He paid the
price so we can live with Him forever, and won’t have to spend eternity in hell…”
Hell. There’s that word again. Is the pastor cussing? I think not. For I believe this
is the message all Christians should be sharing. We are quickly coming to what
the Bible tells us is "the end of days" that's it, no more chances, it's all over.
Instead of getting yet another degree for the wall, instead of catering to a group of
self righteous, self involved, “we can’t tell people they will go to hell, why, it’s just
not done” people. Instead of catering to those with money so they will fund the
latest fashionable whim. What happened to going out, calling “sin” what it is –
wrong against God that will prevent man from going to heaven. Instead they face
eternity in hell.
There’s that word again. hell. Where are you headed? What about your family,
friends, co workers... what about them?
Isn't it time we stop using "hell" as a cussword, and start sharing Jesus' plan of
salvation so no one has to go to HELL...
These were the type of words our grandparents would tell us “they will wash your
mouth out with soap”. This was a very unpleasant experience as a child, and
because the mere threat brought back the texture and taste of a zest bar, we kids
thought better of using such language.
As children, we heard church pastors proclaim if we didn’t “get saved” and live for
God, we would go to hell. This proclamation was usually followed by verbose
descriptions of inner earth caverns, goulish figures, and fires that could not be put
out. We were told you could never escape such a place, and you wouldn’t die, you
would be tortured for eternity. Such is the stuff nightmares are made of…
As teenagers, we grew a little braver, and we thought a lot smarter, and decided it
was “OK” to pepper our language with such a word. It made us seem “cool” and
one of the crowd. This helped build our self esteem in an ever changing, always
uncertain, who will be your friend, world. Besides, as teenagers, we figure the
church pastors are just trying to scare people into staying in church, you know, so
they’ll give money…
Finally, here we are as adults. No one tells us what to do, where to live, how to
dress, and especially what to say. We’ll say whatever the *@ll we want to! This
made us feel tough, independent, and strong. Talk like that will scare our kids into
obeying and honoring us as parents. We read all the books, we’ve seen all the
movies, and listened to Dr. Phil on TV. Today’s society dictates that everyone,
everything, and every word be “politically correct”, We don’t single anyone out as
different, we accept their differences in lifestyle, culture, and language. Let’s call it
diversity, that’s it, diversity. Everyone goes to church as a political or fashion
statement. There is no more talk of “fire and brimstone” or “sinners”. We all
accept everyone else just as they are – no strings or judgement attached. So
what if they don’t read, accept or follow God given principles – let’s all just love
each other and get along…
Nowadays... sometimes... not too often, a lone “plain vanilla preacher” will stand up
in his small church, and to his small congregation, preach an old fashioned
salvation message. It goes something like this… In the beginning God created the
world, and because of man’s wrong against God, He sent His only son, Jesus, as a
sacrifice for all our wrongs throughout time. Jesus suffered great agony and died
on the cross for us, all of us, so we wouldn’t have to pay the price for our
wrongdoing (is that what “sin” means?)”. Three days later, Jesus rose from the
dead, and ascended into heaven to make a place for us. A place where we will live
with Him forever – eternity. At this point an elderly organist will take a cue from the
pastor and begin playing the old song “Just as I am without one plea, but that your
blood was shed for me. And that thou biddest come to thee. Oh Lamb of God, I
come, I come.” While the song plays softly, the pastor pleads with those in the
congregation, “Won’t you come forward and give your heart to Jesus? He paid the
price so we can live with Him forever, and won’t have to spend eternity in hell…”
Hell. There’s that word again. Is the pastor cussing? I think not. For I believe this
is the message all Christians should be sharing. We are quickly coming to what
the Bible tells us is "the end of days" that's it, no more chances, it's all over.
Instead of getting yet another degree for the wall, instead of catering to a group of
self righteous, self involved, “we can’t tell people they will go to hell, why, it’s just
not done” people. Instead of catering to those with money so they will fund the
latest fashionable whim. What happened to going out, calling “sin” what it is –
wrong against God that will prevent man from going to heaven. Instead they face
eternity in hell.
There’s that word again. hell. Where are you headed? What about your family,
friends, co workers... what about them?
Isn't it time we stop using "hell" as a cussword, and start sharing Jesus' plan of
salvation so no one has to go to HELL...
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