Recently, much of the region where I live has been experiencing an unusual heat wave. We’re accustomed to short periods of hot weather during the summer, but this has been different. Day after day, temperatures have remained unusually high, making even simple outdoor activities uncomfortable. Like most people, I’ve found myself looking forward to cooler weather.
Not long ago, I took a business trip to a neighboring state. While I was there, the city experienced what local news reported as the hottest day in its recorded history. As I was checking into my hotel, another gentleman was checking in beside me. The hotel clerk commented on how unbearably hot it was outside.
The man laughed.
He explained that he was from either Arizona or Nevada and said, “I think this temperature feels great.”
That brief conversation reminded me that perspective changes everything. What seems unbearable to one person may feel perfectly normal to someone else because of what they’re accustomed to experiencing.
As I thought about that exchange later, my mind drifted to something much more serious than summer weather.
People become very concerned when the temperature reaches the upper 90s or climbs above 100 degrees. We stay indoors, drink plenty of water, and count the days until the heat finally breaks. Yet many people rarely stop to think about something far more important than temporary discomfort.
Where will I spend eternity?
The Bible teaches that every one of us will one day leave this earth. Life is a precious gift from God, but it is also temporary. When our time here is over, Scripture tells us there are only two eternal destinations: Heaven and hell. That may not be a popular subject in today’s culture, but it is a biblical one.
Over the years, I have noticed two extremes within the body of Christ. There have been times when some preachers focused almost entirely on judgment and hell while saying very little about God’s incredible love, mercy, and grace. Today, it often seems we have gone to the opposite extreme. Many messages focus on God’s blessings, His favor, His love, and all the wonderful things He desires to do in our lives. Those things are absolutely true, but sometimes we avoid talking about what happens if someone rejects Christ.
The truth is, the Bible teaches both.
Personally, I spend much more time writing and teaching about God’s love, His promises, and His desire to bless His children than I do about judgment. That reflects His heart. God is loving, compassionate, and merciful beyond anything we can fully comprehend. At the same time, genuine love tells the truth. If there were danger ahead and I remained silent, that would not be an act of love. It would be an act of neglect.
The greatest demonstration of God’s love was not simply giving us a better life here on earth. It was sending His Son. John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. God desires every person to spend eternity with Him. He does not want anyone to be lost. Jesus willingly suffered, died on the cross, and paid the price for our sins so we would never have to experience eternal separation from God. Salvation is not forced upon anyone. It is an invitation. God extends His hand, but each of us must choose whether we will receive it.
Some people have the mistaken idea that hell is simply a place where people gather to continue living however they please. Others joke about it as though it will be one endless party. I have even heard people quote lyrics from songs, suggesting they would rather go there because all their friends will be there.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
One of the clearest pictures of hell comes from Jesus Himself in the account of the rich man and Lazarus found in Luke 16. During his lifetime, the rich man enjoyed luxury, comfort, and pleasure while Lazarus suffered as a poor beggar outside his gate. When both men died, everything changed. Lazarus was comforted in Abraham’s bosom, while the rich man found himself in torment.
Jesus describes the rich man crying out because of the flames. His request was astonishingly small. He begged Abraham to send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and place just one drop on his tongue to cool him. Think about that for a moment. One drop of water was all he longed for because the suffering was so great.
Another detail in that story has always stood out to me. While the rich man had spent his earthly life pursuing pleasure, once he realized where he was, his concern shifted to his family. He pleaded that someone would go and warn his brothers so they would never come to that place. Hell has a way of changing a person’s priorities.
Jesus did not avoid the subject of hell, and neither should we. He described it as a place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. He spoke of the fire that is never quenched and said that the worm does not die. I will not pretend to understand every detail of those descriptions, but I understand enough to know that nothing about them sounds pleasant. Jesus warned people because He loved them. Warnings are expressions of love.
There is an old saying that some people are won by love while others are won by fire and brimstone. I believe God’s love is the greatest attraction to the Gospel. His kindness leads people to repentance. At the same time, some people need to understand not only what they are being saved to, but also what they are being saved from. Jesus did not come merely to improve our lives. He came to rescue us.
As I listened to people complain about temperatures nearing 100 degrees during this recent heat wave, I couldn’t help but think about eternity. Temporary heat eventually passes. Summer gives way to fall, and cooler days always return. Eternity is different. Once we leave this world, our destination is forever.
The good news is that no one has to experience eternal separation from God. Jesus Christ has already paid the price. He suffered so that we could be forgiven, reconciled to the Father, and spend eternity in His presence. That is the greatest expression of love the world has ever known.
There are people all around us who are searching for hope. Many are hurting. Many are confused. Many have never truly heard the Gospel explained with both truth and compassion. As followers of Christ, we have the privilege and the responsibility of introducing people to Jesus. We do not do it with arrogance or condemnation. We do it because we genuinely care about where people will spend eternity.
If you think 98 degrees is hot, or even 115 degrees is unbearable, don’t ignore what Jesus said about eternity. The temporary heat we experience during the summer is nothing compared to an eternity separated from God. The invitation is still open today.
Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Accept His gift of forgiveness. Place your faith in the One who died and rose again for you. Spend eternity with the God who created you, knows you, and loves you more than you can imagine.
The choice is yours.
But it is a choice that will last forever.
If you would like to invite the Lord Jesus Christ into your life and receive the salvation He offers, pray this prayer and believe it with all your heart.
Dear God in Heaven,
I come to You today in the name of Jesus. Please forgive me for all my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I repent of my sins and turn to You. I receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and I thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me to live for You all the days of my life.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer and truly believed it in your heart, congratulations! According to God’s Word, you have been born again.
Now take the next step in your walk with Christ. Find a Bible-believing church where you can grow as a disciple of Jesus. Begin reading your Bible every day so you can learn more about God and His promises for your life. Spend time in prayer and surround yourself with other believers who will encourage you in your faith.
Welcome to the family of God! You now have the right to call God, your Heavenly Father.
G. Edward Wyche