In a well-known preacher’s sermon I heard, he spoke about the circumstance concerning
reaching out to the lost and encountering those who do not want to hear, or who would reject the
kingdom message: He commented that in this country – i.e., the U.S. – it is
hard to “go to hell”. He was not affirming the country as a model of righteous culture. On the contrary, what he was speaking to is the
difficulty to avoid hearing the Gospel proclaimed in this country. It is almost
impossible to avoid it - it's nearly everywhere. On the radio, on TV, all over the internet, churches everywhere, Bibles and Gospel-themed literature in bookstores, and so forth. He said that a person would have to go way out of his
or her way to escape hearing, reading, seeing the Gospel in some kind of
communication. He added that it is also a dangerous thing to hear or otherwise
encounter the Gospel and then turn it away or reject it, which is tantamount to
rejecting Christ. Our very eternity is at stake.
The Bible foretold that there would be persons who would
hear the Gospel and then dismiss it. Thus, it should not come as a surprise to hear someone respond to our efforts to share Christ that they don't want to hear that Jesus stuff, or for other objections to be raised. The Bible also noted that not only would persons reject it, some would even scoff at the message. “Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will
come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this
‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it
has since the beginning of creation.’” 2 Peter 3:3-4.
"They said to you, ‘In the last
times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.’
These are the people
who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.”
Jude 18-19
“For the message of the cross is foolishness
to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of
God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.
Nevertheless, we as partners with Christ in proclaiming the
Gospel have been commissioned to go into all the world to make disciples first
and then baptize them when the power of the Holy Spirit initiates the faith that comes
through the hearing of the Gospel to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and LORD and
repent of their past rejection of Him. “Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew
28:19-20
Note that we are not commissioned to partner
with Christ only where persons like the message we bring them, or to limit our witnessing to those who are just like us.
Nor are we commanded to first become polished speakers , to obtain impressive degrees, or go to seminary before we can engage in
the kingdom work. No. As partners with Christ and sharers in the Gospel He desires us to
receive Him and then tell others about the saving message, and for all of us to
teach the Gospel through our actions, through Bible study, through preaching,
through general conversation, through every means available – there were no ‘loopholes’
in the Great Commission! Yet, many persons who attend church regularly seem unaware of this responsibility although His calling is explicitly expressed in the Bible.
It also goes to follow that if we are not disciples ourselves, how is it
possible to disciple others, per Jesus’ words – “teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you”? If, indeed, we have tasted the
sweet truth of Jesus, and have failed to share it or even continue in His
teachings and intentionally pursue His truth, we fall into the group of
those who reject Christ. (Hebrews 6:1-6) If we refuse to open the Word of God, or refuse to live under its authority as a lifestyle, we refuse the Word of God,
Christ, and subsequently follow our own selves, which is idolatry.
Yes, it is hard to “go to hell” because of the lack of opportunity to not go on that path - we actually have to want to do it! We have to intentionally choose to do so by
rejecting Christ and the Gospel. So, how does one choose Christ? What is involved? Have you chosen Christ? How do you
know?
