President Abraham Lincoln was asked during the Civil War if God was on the side of the Union. Lincoln replied that the larger question was whether the Union was on God’s side. Are you on God’s side today?
Despite all the choices and philosophies strewn about the landscape of our time, there remain only two kingdoms: the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness—the kingdom of God and the realms dominated by Satan. Ultimately, we all decide whether to walk in the light or in the darkness.
There are no half-lit Christians. We are either light dispelling darkness or we are wallowing in the deadly darkness of sin.
For me, the knowledge of “the most joyful news ever announced”—the saving love of Jesus Christ—has always been enough motivation for me to seek to help fulfill the Great Commission. To take His message of love and forgiveness to every person on earth is so wonderful and so compelling, I have never felt the need to focus on telling people about hell.
However, as a result of a steady decline in morals and spiritual vitality in today’s culture and a growing indifference to the afterlife, I have come to realize the need for a greater discussion of hell. To be silent on the eternal destinations of souls is to be like a sentry failing to warn his fellow soldiers of impending attack. It is like knowing calamity is coming and not sounding the alarm.
For those who accept the Lord Jesus as their Savior, the horrors of hell will no longer be their final destination. Instead, the redeemed can look forward to a magnificent place called heaven. But we must not go there without taking along as many as people as we can.
Charles Spurgeon, the prince of preachers, pleaded with believers:
If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.
There wages a war between good and evil, and each day we choose on which side we stand.
Today, whose side are you on? Darkness or Light?
But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve… as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 NLT
Adapted from Heaven or Hell by Bill Bright
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