Thursday after the First Sunday after Easter, 4/26/01Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. --NIV
In the name of the One Who saves us, amen.
It is a simple fact that those who believe in Jesus have eternal life, but those who do not face eternal death in hell. We might not like that idea for various reasons, but it remains the truth. In fact there is a growing movement that teaches that no one will be lost in hell. But such a teaching lets people live with a false sense of security.
Let's look at it this way: if you lived in an apartment building and it was on fire, would you be doing anyone a favor by removing the batteries in all of the smoke alarms so that the alarms wouldn't go off and frighten people? If we teach that there is no damnation for unbelievers, we save them from the fear of hell today, but damn them to the eternal flames tomorrow.
Our passage was spoken at the time when Jesus told His church to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. It serves as our motivation, and one of the tools we use to show people what lies ahead for them if they refuse Christ. The warning is given only so that the glorious news that he who believes will be saved can be preached. Amen.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, You gave a stern warning about unbelief. Help us to reach out to others while there still is time for them to be brought to faith in You, amen.
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