WILLFUL IGNORANCE

“There is no eternal doom awaiting those who trust him to save them. But those who don’t trust him have already been tried and condemned for not believing in the only Son of God. Their sentence is based on this fact: that the Light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the Light, for their deeds were evil.” John 3:18-19

       This is wonderful news for the believer. However, if no eternal doom awaits those who trust God, that would mean the reverse is true for those who do not trust God.  Non-believers wallow in their own self-indulgence, living only for today. Their willful ignorance regarding Christ and the forgiveness He purchased with His own life has left them self-condemned.  It’s not anyone’s fault but their own that they refuse to believe and no one is sending them down a highway to hell but themselves. 

       There are many things that men do in this life that we consider horrific.  You can see man’s depravity displayed on the evening news each day.  Yet no evil act will condemn a man to hell.  Until the last wisp of air leaves their lungs they have time to repent.  No matter what anyone has ever done in this life, forgiveness is available until the Lord says it is no longer available.  It is solely their rejection of Jesus Christ as the savior of the world and forgiver of men’s transgressions that will send them to hell. 

    “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)  God doesn’t send anyone to hell, they go there of their own free will.  No one will ever stop a person from sinning, no even Almighty God, if that is what you truly wish to do with their life.  For those who decide to shed their past and embark on the journey of a lifetime, that person will not simply receive a reprieve.  It’s much more incredible then that. They are no longer condemned.  The One who created them proclaims them NOT GUILTY of any and all transgressions they have ever committed.  In addition to that your past sins will never be held against you again. This is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resources:  The American Heritage Dictionary; Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary; The Reformation Study Bible and The Asbury Bible Commentary.