April 14
Josh 9:3-10:43 | PS 83:1-18 | Prov 13:4 | Luke 16:19-17:10
I have been involved in a number of car accidents over the years. There is that moment just prior to impact when you know that the accident is going to happen and there is nothing that can be done to stop it. The questions still remains as to how badly you will be hurt, others might be hurt, and how badly your car will be damaged. This inevitable occurrence will result in temporary and uncertain outcomes. Eternity is completely different. Yes, it is inevitable for all of us. But, the results are permanent and certain. Also, once there, your situation is fixed. It is impossible to change your location. God has also left no mysteries as to how one enters either heaven or hell. It is not based on our imperfect attempts at goodness, but on Jesus' perfect work on the cross, and whether or not we have chosen to repent and accept His payment for us. We read in 2 Corinthians 5:21, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." Famous atheist, David Hume, on his death bed, cried aloud, "I am in flames!".. It was said that his "desperation was a horrible scene". The nurse taking care of anti-Christian atheist Voltaire said of the scene at his deathbed, "For all the money in Europe I wouldn't want to see another unbeliever die!" We read the deathbed quote of preacher and evangelist of the 19th century, Dwight L. Moody, "Earth recedes, Heaven opens before me. If this is death, it is sweet! There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go." Which scenario do you want?
Jesus made it clear in John 14:6, "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." There are not multiple paths, multiple options, only one. Eternal life is a given as we read in Hebrews 9:27, "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,". Then Jesus pulls back the curtain and gives a real-life glimpse into eternity in Luke 16. This is not a parable, as some might think, in that Jesus never uses specific names in parables. So we read the short backdrop of the two main characters, Lazarus and the Rich Man, in Luke 16:19-21. We then see there final eternal locations in 16:22-23, "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom." In utter torture, the Rich Man asks if Lazarus could cool his tongue with a drop of water from his finger. But we read that the locations are fixed in 16:26, "And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’" For those who like to state, "it is not fair", Jesus reveals that all that is needed to make the right decision has been afforded them, as we read the conclusion of this story in 16:27-31, "“Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”
We don't really know that much else about the two characters. It is easy to read into the "Rich Man" and view him as hateful, greedy, horrible, etc. But, the narrative doesn't state this, other than he treated Lazarus with no regard. He obviously cared about his family, as can be seen by his request while in Hades. We read of Joshua's mistake with the Gibeonites. Their story seemed credible, they looked the part, etc. We read in Joshua 9:15, "So Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them." Joshua figured, mistakenly, that he could handle this one without bringing it before God. He was wrong. So are way too many of us. God gave us His love letter, called the Bible, and has given you a lifetime to show enough interest in it to actually pick it up and read the words inside. He even has seen to it to have it translated into your own language and made available in a multitude of ways. If you choose to ignore His instruction manual and His Son's sacrifice, then that is on you. The Rich Man in the story could have been a fun person, surrounded by friends, good to his own family, a member of standing in the community. We don't know, but it did not help him. Likewise, please don't falsely reassure yourself with your loved ones and friends, pointing out all of their good attributes. Don't be guilty of saying, "My Mom, or my wife, or my kid, etc is such a good person". There being a "good" person does not earn anyone a ticket into heaven. His word is clear, and Jesus' sacrifice is perfect. Trust in these and heaven is yours, and like Dwight L. Moody, you will embrace, not fear eternity.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: