Thought for the Month - August 2019
"Unforgiven" by Barry Adair
(I'll see you in hell!)
There is a line in the Clint Eastwood film "Unforgiven" that came to mind just recently. In one of the iconic but brutal scenes, Clint Eastwood's character, William Munny is just about to execute the town sheriff (Gene Hackman) with a gunshot to the head. "I'll see you in hell, William Munny!" was the sheriff's very last words, while Munny simply signified his agreement before opening fire.
As a Christian who believes in the truth of the Bible, I am convinced of the existence of a heaven, and also of a hell. I am also convinced that there are those who are forgiven of God, and those who are unforgiven of God. I am likewise convinced that heaven will be the eternal home of the forgiven while hell will be the eternal home of the unforgiven.
Now, I, like every other Christian do not want anyone to end up in hell. Well, the vast majority anyway! But unlike me, God does not want to send ANYONE to hell…
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
ANYONE can be forgiven of God if they repent of their sin and believe that Jesus died in their place. This essentially is the gospel and is an incredible offer from an all-powerful and loving creator God! And it is the job of Christians to tell others that they can be saved from all of their sin, no matter how heinous. This is why Christians (the Forgiven) pray for their unsaved family members, friends, neighbours, work colleagues and community (the Unforgiven). This is why churches have Sunday Schools and youth departments, mothers and toddlers' groups and seniors' groups etc. It is why most have websites, where you can read and listen to gospel messages, from anywhere in the world. And it is also why churches send out missionaries to other countries to explain the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have never heard. Jesus commanded as much when He told His disciples…
And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." (Mark 16:15)
The issue today, as I see it, is that many of the Unforgiven cannot see that they need to be forgiven from anything or from anyone - "there is no fear of God before their eyes" (Romans 3:18). Actually, I say "the issue today" but the words recorded in Romans 3 verses 10 to 18 were written a very long time ago! However, over the last number of years I have seen changes which further blind the minds of the Unforgiven to the gospel (see 2 Corinthians 4:4). Evolution is now taught within most primary schools. From an early age, our children are effectively told that there was no Creator. No God was needed to create the Universe and those who live in it. Bible truths about the family are also being heavily eroded in schools. According to our 'enlightened majority' (!), "marriage" can be between 2 men or 2 women. What's coming next, a marriage of 3 or more? Marriage to your favourite pet?! And the most innocent of all, i.e. children in the womb, now can be aborted right up to full term in some countries! What the Bible says is irrelevant to most nowadays, i.e. the Unforgiven and even some of the Forgiven too. Dare to suggest that homosexuality is a sin these days and you can end up getting a visit to your house from the police!
So, if the Unforgiven don't believe in the existence of God or that they are sinners, then why would they need to seek any repentance? As for me, and most of the Forgiven, we know that we are sinners. We know of our need of forgiveness. We know that, if based on our own lives, that we would be judged harshly at life's end when standing before a holy God. We know that a holy God has to punish sin - otherwise He wouldn't be a holy God. For the Forgiven there is nothing as sweet as forgiveness! I know that, even though I am fully deserving of hell, my eternal home will be in heaven because God has forgiven me.
Amazing love! How can it be -
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
As Christians, we the Forgiven need to pray for the Unforgiven. We all know that, left to ourselves, we will never choose God…
THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD (Romans 3:11)
We were only saved by the direct interaction and grace of God…
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8)
The Unforgiven are in a precarious position. Die with your sin and you will end up in hell. But God is still in the saving business and He can reach and save anyone. God wants no one to end up in hell. Heaven is our true eternal home. May the Forgiven of God petition His throne again today for the Unforgiven in our midst.
I'll see you in heaven!
And can it be, that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour's blood!
Died He for me? - who caused his pain!
For me? - who him to death pursued.
Amazing love! How can it be -
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
"And there is salvation in no one else (i.e. the Lord Jesus); for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12, addition mine)
Until next month (DV)…
Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!