Back in my college days there was a movie that was released under the title, “Drag Me To Hell”. It was a horror movie which I didn’t watch but the title is relevant.

Drag in this case refers to pulling someone in a direction against their will. These days there is no real need to drag anyone to hell as some persons are actually actively seeking the directions to it!

At what point did this happen where persons are now flirting and consorting with darkness? Jesus said (John 3:19-20) that persons hate the light because their deeds are evil and the light will show up their dark deeds.

The devil is making the world seem so enticing to young people with partying, money, fame, vain appearance, sex. These are all idols that are used to lure suspecting and unsuspecting young people deeper and deeper into the world of sin. But to what end? None of these things can truly satisfy and all can vanish away in an instant.

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 notes that if this gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost, whom the gods of this world hath blinded their eyes. So without the light many persons have no clue just how far down the road of sin they have gone and many see themselves beyond redemption.

I remember a conversation I had with a taxi driver in which we discussed God, church and salvation. I encouraged him to visit church one Sunday, he laughed at the invite. He mentioned that he was too bad for church and we would be scared of him. I told him such were some of us and that he would be surprised at the lives we once lived. Further into the conversation he told me that he didn’t see himself in heaven. He had done too many wrongs and it just wasn’t for him. He made it sound so hopeless. My heart broke. I told him that once he has life he has hope and that he can be saved. Whenever he comes to mind I pray for him.

The Lord came so that man would have a choice and a chance at eternal life in his presence (John 3:16). Essentially redeeming man from the clutches of sin. Revelation describes heaven in majestic splendor, bright and beautiful. While Jesus described the conditions of hell using the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. (Luke 16:19-31)

Think about this, so many persons use the term sleep/rest in peace. But why? How do we expect eternal rest when we have done very little on this side of life towards that rest? Many persons are just living for the NOW. YOLO! (You only live once) Where did this lie originate? I think it is time for many of us to take responsibility for our own lives and not entrust our future to pop culture or agendas.

Let us not escape hell because of its misery but because we want to spend eternity with Christ. Free from stress, free from sin, death, pain and grief.

If we could instead ask “How do I get to Jesus?” “Where can I find him?” “In which direction do I go?” If we could instead give this Jesus a try, if we could just seek to experience the love that Jesus gives.

Let us try one moment on our knees in prayer to the Lord and see what directions he gives.

My encouragement to us is that we endure hardship on this side of life to escape a fate that lies beyond the light.

There is a name I love to hear

I love to sing its worth

It sounds like music in my ear

The sweetest name on earth

Because He first loved me

It tells me of a Savior's love

Who died and set me free

It tells me of His precious blood

The sinner's perfect plea

Because He first loved me

It tells of One whose loving heart

Can feel my deepest woe

Who in each sorrow bears a part

That none can bear below

Oh, how I love Jesus

Oh, how I love Jesus

Oh, how I love Jesus

Because He first loved me

Sources:

The Bible. Authorized King James Version, Oxford UP, 1998.

O How I Love Jesus Lyrics. (n.d.). Lyrics.com. Retrieved May 8, 2021, from https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/29143300/Alan+Jackson.