How Hot is Hell?

We've been experiencing a heat wave here in middle Tennessee. With temperatures in the upper 90's and high humidity, heat indexes have been well over 100 degrees. Folks are being warned about heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and other ways heat can cause harm to one's health. As of today (Wednesday), some relief is on the way by this weekend.

The thing about this heat is it is temporary. While it can be uncomfortable, irritating, and even deadly, summer will pass into fall and fall into winter. Around January, we'll be longing for the warmth of summer as we now long for the coolness of winter.

However, hell will last forever. Concerned citizens are encouraged to check on the elderly during heat like this. Homeless shelters make sure to open their doors wider at this time. Yet, when one dies in a state of lostness, he or she will spend an eternity separated from God. They will experience for eternity the "God-forsakenness" Jesus did when on the cross bearing the penalty of our sins (Mark 15:34).

Perhaps our concern for the lost will be heightened by the reminder that hell is a real place of eternal torment. While our concern for those affected by the heat is one demonstration of our love for our neighbor, the greatest demonstration of our love comes when we share the Good News of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ with a lost person. Hell may be hot, but God demonstrated His love for sinners through Christ's death on the cross. No longer must we bear the penalty of our sins. Through repentance and faith, my eternal home can be with Christ, not separated from Him!

Let Freedom Ring

Two days ago our nation celebrated its 230th year as an independent nation, free from the tyranny of England. As I'm sure many of you did, I gathered with family and friends for fun, food, fellowship, and fireworks. Yet, even as the day wore on, a thought continued in my mind. How free are we really?

Just a reminder...our nation, as great as it is, is not eternal. There is only one kingdom which will last forever and it belongs to our Lord! He ushered it in, He sustains it, and one day He will establish it in all its fullness. Unfortunately, many in our nation are enslaved to sin, thus, they are not really free at all. Only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ do we receive forgiveness of our sins and adoption as sons of the Father. Until that occurs, we can say we're free, but we're really in bondage.

My prayer for the USA is that we are truly free will proclaim the goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ to save and deliver us from darkness. I pray that as Christians we will use our civil freedom to proclaim the Gospel to an enslaved world. Only as Christ changes hearts will we truly know freedom. May we as Christians "let freedom ring" through the proclaimation of the Gospel for all to hear. Remember Jesus' words in John 8:36 (HCSB), "Therefore if the Son sets you free, you really will be free."