I was watching one of the Christian networks recently and the preacher was talking about “hell.” I was so excited that someone on TV was finally not shying away from the topic. However, just when I was waiting on him to go a little deeper about the matter as it relates to those who are already Christians, he stopped solid on, “Hell was never meant for us, but for Satan and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41) Now although this is true…very true actually, he didn’t go much further. He eluded more towards sinners just “Believing in Christ” and they would escape the fires of hell. Now, you’re probably wondering, “Well what’s wrong with this?”

The problem with this is that if that’s all you hear from the message and the person watching never comes back to this program then they can mistakenly run away with, “Wow! All I have to do is believe and I can escape the fires of hell.” For some this may be true, if this is God’s will, like bedside repentance (which actually has to be true from the heart and yes, God is the judge), but for most Christians, there is more to it than just “believing” - you actually have to live it out to escape the fires of hell and do the will of God. And unfortunately, too many don’t know this.

Christianity is a lifestyle (hint- salvation, which means deliverance from your old sinful nature). 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.” (NLT) Furthermore, it’s about having a devoted daily walk with Christ, while living according to the Word of God.  James 1:22 declares, “But be ye doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” So you see, once you’ve repented, believed that Jesus Christ died a horrible death for our sins on the cross, and you accept Christ into your life, then yes, you are saved. BUT WAIT! There’s more! The next steps are getting into a true Bible-believing church that the Holy Spirit leads you to (not the church of your own choice), and begin living the life of Christianity in your everyday life according to the Bible.  Is this easy? Of course not, but the Holy Spirit is certainly there to guide us every step of the way. Thank God! Whew!

However, since we’re talking about hell, let’s stay on the subject and go deeper. I agree wholeheartedly, that hell was never meant for us as Christians, but if we are habitually disobedient to God and to His commandments, continuously overlooking His principles according to His word, and living like sinners yet going to church faithfully (hypocrisy), then yes, “we” as professing Christians lie in danger of the fires of hell.  This is the truth! The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”  

Also, Colossians 3:5-10 says, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” Reader pay attention… this is the Word of God.

The reason why I am going here is because you need to know the truth about Christianity and hell. Psalm 10:9 says clearly, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Who are the wicked? The wicked are those who say they love God, yet “live” like the world while professing Christianity with their mouth. The Bible says in Mark 7:6, “He replied, ‘Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Now, am I calling you a hypocrite? No, but the Scriptures are there to help us examine ourselves from the inside out to see if we are living a life that pleases God, because someday we will all have to stand before a righteous and holy Judge and give an account of our lives. This is serious guys. Hell is a real place, and many enter it, unfortunately. But they enter at their own risk.  

After reading this blog post, you may be wondering, “Well, how does one live the true born-again Christian lifestyle and escape hell?” My suggestion would be to totally surrender your life and let God really guide you into all truth daily (and refer to the Scriptures). Find a true Bible-believing/living church and grow (if you don't already have one). Now, will you make some mistakes along the way? Of course, but the key is that you recognize your error, repent (turn away from it), and learn from them. However, be careful not to take God's grace for granted and sin just because He's a forgiving God, because there are still consequences for sin and  it's up to Him to decide to show mercy or not-so be careful with this.

And remember, God loves you. And He wants the best for you. That’s why He sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to “deliver” you from your sins (not to continue in them), and to restore a right relationship with the Father again after Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. He did this for all of us as a free gift. But we should show our appreciation by living a changed lifestyle that honors the Lord and represents true repentance in action. (Keep in mind, Jesus is coming again soon! It’s time to get ready from the inside out.)  

Heaven is worth it! I pray you make the right choice...

~Courtnaye

Thanks for reading! I pray that God will continue to enlighten you to live for Him through His word in your daily life. Stay tuned for new blog posts every Monday at 7:30am on Inside Out with Courtnaye. You can see blogs on my website by visiting www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org or receive it by “Liking” my Facebook by clicking here http://www.facebook.com/pages/Inside-Out-with-Courtnaye/202095829824129#!/pages/Inside-Out-with-Courtnaye/202095829824129. Also, follow me on Twitter by inoutwcourtnaye. Thanks again![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]