The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 16 March 2023 – The Horror Of Hell
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TOPIC: The Horror Of Hell
READ: Mark 9: 31-50 (NKJV)
- For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.”
- But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.
- Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?”
- But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who [would be the] greatest.
- And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
- Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them,
- “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”
- Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”
- But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.
- “For he who is not against us is on our side.
- “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
- ” But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.
- “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched —
- “where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.’
- “And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched —
- “where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.’
- “And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire —
- “where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.’
- ” For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.
- “Salt [is] good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”
THE MESSAGE:
In today’s passage, Jesus enumerated important behaviours expected from Christians. He emphasised the need for Christians to be peaceful, humble and willing to serve others. Humility is the pathway to greatness. He taught about the need to accommodate other true children of God who preach the Gospel from other organisations. Jesus warned Christians not to be stumbling blocks or cause new believers to sin. The punishment of such a behaviour will be worse than being drowned with a huge stone tied on the neck. He finally warned about the reality and horrors of hell It is better to have eternal life deformed than go to hell intact. It is as serious as that for hell is a horrible place!. Hence it is important to cut off anything that will be a stumbling block to making heaven.
Unfortunately, our generation has played down on sin and its ability to send one to hell, because we are living in the era of grace. Sin and its consciousness should be preached by Christians. We live not under the law, but we are not saved to be lawless; for we must face God’s fiery judgment. God’s standards are unchangeable even in a changing world. The reward for sin is still eternal death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Therefore, hate sin and love righteousness to avoid hell.
PRAYER: I pray for grace not to be careless with sin, but to look unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of my faith.