We live in times that men and women of God need to proclaim the old time Gospel truths. There is a hell and most people are going there. Only a few will take the narrow path. Most will take the broad way and lots of dishonest preachers will march with them. Today, with the soft preaching of a self-help guru Jesus there to help you live a fun and prosperous life, what do you have to be worried about? God isn’t mad at you. He is not angry with the sinner at all.
Years ago I learned we should preach what the Bible says, not what you would like it to say. Let’s look at what the Bible clearly says:
1. Psalm 5:5 “The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: Thou hates all workers of iniquity.”
2. Psalm 7:11 “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.”
3. Psalm 11:5 “The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.”
4. Romans 9:13 “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.”
These verses paint a much different picture than some churches have of a heavenly butler hanging on your every word just waiting to give you what you want.
Look at the verses from 1 John:
1. 3:6: “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.”
2. 3:8: “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”
3. 3:9 “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin....”
The verses in 1 John, because of the tense of the Greek verbs, do not speak about a requirement of sinless perfection. They are talking about a lifestyle of committing sin. The sinner needs to be warned that he or she is in danger of hell fire if they don’t repent and have faith in Jesus Christ. We must preach Christ crucified, that is our message.
Who does Paul say will be going to hell? He gives a list in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10:
1. Fornicators (this includes sexual sin between the unmarried);
2. Idolaters (those that place anything between themselves and God);
3. Effeminate (those who commit perversions);
4. Homosexuals (notwithstanding civil laws created by man, God’s law is clear);
5. Thieves;
6. Covetous;
7. Drunkards;
8. Revilers; and
9. Swindlers.
We need to speak truth in love. I state that it is love to proclaim Bible truths. The determination of love is not decided by the workers of iniquity. Love is determined by whether what is spoken is Scriptural.
So, which path are you on?
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