The question was very clear. Nothing confusing. “Are you going to heaven or hell?” At a gathering on the campus of Cal State Fullerton, Ray Comfort asked this question. The student fumbled to answer. But before we jump to criticize, let’s take a minute and consider what preceded the question.
The gathering was sponsored by Turning Point USA. The introduction shows a young man representing TPUSA and he states that they’ve shifted their focus. Instead of concentrating on getting young people to register to vote in the next election, they want to boldly proclaim the gospel and “register people in heaven”. Now THAT is a goal I can get behind and support.
Many of us likely struggle with the “how” of going out to share the gospel. But in a scenario like this, where time is fleeting, word selection and getting to the point are imperative. Straight to the point. Good versus evil. Right or wrong. The whole point is to create the opportunity to introduce Jesus and the need we have for Him.
If we look back at the Ten Commandments, not a single one of us can get past the first one before we’re headed to hell: 1. You shall have no other gods before me; 2. Don’t make idols; 3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; 4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy; 5. Honor your father and mother; 6. You shall not murder; 7. You shall not commit adultery; 8. You shall not steal; 9. You shall not lie; 10. You shall not covet. The first four deal directly with our relationship with God and the remaining six address our relationships with others.
I’ve never literally bowed down in front of another god. But I can assure you that I’ve repeatedly put other things in higher regard in my life. Maybe it was my boys or my granddaughters. It might have been my job. It doesn’t matter what it was. Nothing is to come before God. Strike one.
I’m going to skip number two because I think it’s safe to say that it’s in the same basic category as number one. Therefore, I’m already at strike two. (Assuming you’re knowledgable about baseball, you’ll see I’m not doing well at this point.)
Now this is one that I can honestly say I think I might squeak by on. Although everyone probably has a slightly different definition of “taking the name of the LORD in vain”, I grew up in a home where Mom didn’t even like substitutes (i.e., shoot, darn, etc.). So I can honestly say that I have NEVER used God’s name inappropriately. That doesn’t mean that I think I’m getting a pass from God. But it’s the only one I think I come close on so let me have it. Please. LOL!
When it comes to remembering the Sabbath, I failed a long time ago. Going beyond church attendance and looking at how we spend our time on the Sabbath paints a pretty clear picture. And although I’m learning the value (especially recently), I still fall very short. Strike three! I didn’t even make it beyond the ones directly correlated to God and I’m out. Good grief!
So it’s safe to say the remaining will be disastrous to consider. Honor your father and mother was obliterated the first time a bellowing, “No” came out of my mouth as a toddler. It kinda stuck with me for a long time, too. (Even though I learned to say it quietly and behind their back so I didn’t get busted as often.) I’m not guilty of murdering anyone. But I can assure you that I’ve had thoughts at times that would’ve landed me in the klinker. Adultery isn’t easy to talk about. Even if it weren’t a part of my story, I’ve cheated in my heart. I’ve looked lustfully at other men who weren’t my spouse. Guilty. One of the first times I ever recall stealing something wasn’t your typical “kid in the candy aisle” story (which we’re quick to excuse or chuckle at). I actually took someone’s car! And I didn’t even have a license yet! (There’s a whole story. Ask me sometime.) I feel confident that like most toddler’s I started my life of lying very young. “Michele, did you push Melinda?” Unfortunately, for reasons that I now understand and have answers for, that lying continued for a long time. And finally, the end of this misery. I don’t know that I ever go a single day without coveting something. Big or small. Ridiculous or not. I want things I don’t have. I want things I don’t need. I want things that others have. Tap me out! I’m done!
The whole point is this: I cannot keep the Law, so I need a Savior. The only one who ever died for me so that I could live is Jesus. So unless I acknowledge and accept what Jesus did for me and allow Him to change me, I’m going to hell. Period. It’s actually that plain and simple.
That was essentially the conversation Ray Comfort had with the student. He pointed out his sin and he said, “I love you too much to watch you go to hell. Let me tell you about Jesus”.
It was one month ago today that the world watched while a man was assassinated before our very eyes. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Our time is short. Eternity is long. Let’s go “register people in heaven”. Let’s go MAKE HEAVEN CROWDED!
Luke 14:23 ~ And the master said to the servant, “Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled”.