Sunday, March 22, 2009

Hell Insurance, Part II of II

Hell Insurance, Part II of II
Dec 1, 2008
I John 2:9 "Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in darkness"

As stated in Part I of this series, entrance to Heaven is simple and easy. It is the simple formula of Romans 10:9, where you confess with your mouth that "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. Remember, confessing "Jesus is Lord" is where He actually becomes Lord of your life. This issue of Lordship can be very tricky if you retain control over your own life. By that, I mean, once you become a Christian, your life is not your own and you may no longer live according to whatever it is you decide to do.

This is not God becoming the dictator of your life, but desiring that you give Him access to every area of your life for Him to influence. It is simply a willingness to hand over your sinful or fleshly desires and consider how He would want you to think and act. This is what Lordship means for you: that you would submit to Him in every area of your life and be conformed to His likeness.

You may put on a good show for everyone else and be considered a good person, but the Lord is not fooled. He knows which areas of your life you are not turning over to Him. He knows which areas of your life do not look like Him. If these areas are not turned over to Him, you are in jeopardy of Hell. The Bible is very clear about these areas: hatred toward others, love of self, gossip, idolatry, sexual impurity, murder... Sure, we can see how God might filter out a murderer, but come on, gossip? Yep. Those who gossip have no place in Heaven. You can gossip once and not be in jeopardy of Hell but if you don't allow the Lord to remove that from your life then He is not Lord of your life.

If you do not allow the Lord to remove your hatred toward that crazy co-worker then you are in jeopardy of Hell. Please listen carefully; it is not one or two sinful acts that will get you to Hell, but a lifelong journey where the Lord is never allowed to change you. Once you decide that He is Lord of your life, it is your job to give Him access to every area of your life, even your personality flaws. If you do not grant Him access to change every area of your life, then He is not Lord of your life. If He is not Lord of your life, then you WILL be going to Hell. When He is Lord of your life, every part of your life will slowly begin to look more and more like Him. If you are not constantly being transformed by Him then you should question who is in control of your life. You are allowed to be imperfect; you are just not allowed to stay that way.

1. Have you given Him access to EVERY area of your life?
2. Identify two areas where God is not Lord of your life.
3. Endeavor to give Him access to those areas, lest you decide He is not Lord.

Additional Scriptures for Study: Romans 10:9, I Cor 6:9, I John 3:15, I John 4:20, I John 2:15-17

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