I don’t want to go to hell.
Really. I am positive that the very nature of hell would be
more horrible than the worst day I could possibly imagine here. And I have
quite a vivid imagination.
I fear that my nature to be selfish, tyrannical and
demanding would overshadow my kindness, generosity and patience. I fear that my
anger and despair would trump my moments of goodness and confidence.
But then I remember when Jesus spoke to Thomas… “Jesus
answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now
on, you do know him and have seen him’” Jn 14:6-7
He didn’t mince words or say too much. Jesus didn’t list
what we call sins and tell us to do otherwise. He simply said to follow Him –
His example, His teaching, His path. Jesus is willing to accept my faults, because
He knows that if I truly know Him, the faults will diminish and be replaced
with Christlike qualities. It isn’t so much changing who I am, but who I
follow. I don’t have to list the moments of sin and negative emotions to
correct them. I just need to choose to go on the path to Jesus instead.
Since heaven is actually living in the presence of God,
knowing Jesus and believing Him to be the path to the Father makes Jesus the
path to heaven. It is so simple when you
just open the word and listen to the message. I won’t go to hell because I am a sinner but because I choose against faith. Life is choices. Eternal life is a guarantee…if we make the right choices.
I don’t want to go to hell…and I don’t have to.
