Have you ever considered the Terrors of Hell?

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Jerry Marcellino Photo/File

August 27, 2010

Anonymous Laurel Leader-Call The Laurel Leader-Call Fri Aug 27, 2010, 10:55 PM CDT

LAUREL — When the apostle Paul wrote “1 Corinthians” from a mixed heart of Christian love and pastoral grief (Hebrews 13:17), he sought to address all of their abiding church issues. Chief among them was their sinful tendency to be enamored with the wisdom of men above the wisdom of God.

To correct this major spiritual-flaw in their thinking, he defined for them again: “true wisdom” — Jesus Christ (1:30); “who are the truly wise men” — God’s faithful ministers (2:1-5); and “the correct message of wisdom” — The Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (1:18-25).

In reading (1 Corinthians 1:18) we understand why many churches today must also make sure that their heads are screwed-on straight about this divisive matter (“for the Word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing”). But sadly, most churchgoers are either enamored-by, or too often-trained to be more concerned with their preacher’s persona (i.e. his demeanor, personality, physical appearance and his pseudo-eloquence, “Isn’t he a wonderful pulpiteer?” – But READ 2 Timothy 4:1-5), than they are with the Scriptural clarity and sobriety of his message!?

This is especially shocking if men are presently and eternally perishing, because they have foolishly rejected God’s all-wise message of the cross. Do you really believe, as you read this article, that the unbelieving and Christ-rejecting of our age: i.e. the men, women, and children, of this present evil world, are on their way to eternal Hell-fire? I surely do.

Do you live your life as if you truly believe in this fearful, yet Biblical doctrine? O please think with me for a moment… If Jesus is right (Matthew 25:30, “there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth in the outer-darkness of Hell”), and He is; then, our many deceased, as well as, our many living and spiritually-lost: relatives, co-workers, and neighbors, are all just a breath away from a most frightening eternity!

O dear reader, do you really believe and understand that the “unsaved” shall soon be tormented forever in unending flames (Luke 16:23-24)? O friends, have your ever considered that the Word “perish,” in the Bible, actually means to be spiritually-lost, ruined, or destroyed by God in Hell!?

O please do not forget the words of King Jesus, “Enter through the narrow-gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction…” (Matthew 7:13), nor those of the apostle Paul, regarding those who reject the gospel, “These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction…” (2 Thessalonians 1:9). Lastly, at least, remember the familiar words in John 3:16, “God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not ‘perish’ but have eternal life.”

Erwin Lutzer instructs us, “Admittedly, Hell is an unpleasant topic. Unbeliever’s disbelieve in it; most Christians today ignore it. Even the staunchly Biblical diehards are often silent about it out of embarrassment. Hell, more than any other doctrine seems to be out-of-step with our time.” O may it not be so any longer with anyone of us…

Jerry Marcellino is pastor of Audubon Drive Bible Church in Laurel. He can be reached by e-mail at pastorjerry@audubonchurch.org

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