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Recent world events may have shaken you, like many people, to the core. In times of �Peace & safety�, you rarely gave a thought about your future - and I don�t mean sorting out your pension fund or winning the lottery.
Now �peace� is replaced by fear. What will your future be?
The words of the opening question, �How shall we escape� are followed in the original by, �if we ignore such a great salvation?� 1 These words from the Bible may not be familiar to you but they were written with you in mind. The question is of eternal importance to you.
Maybe you�ve mocked the ranting street preacher or made fun of the Christians you�ve met. I once did myself with great enthusiasm! But I had to think again.
A few years ago in East London, I was threatened by a man with a knife. He was just out of prison. I simply replied, �Oh well, what�s the worst you can do? You can only kill me!� He walked off, a bit mystified I think! It reminds me of a Bible verse:
�Dear friends, don�t be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill the body; they cannot do any more to you. But I�ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill people and then throw them into hell.� 2
Point one is this: I know that when I die I shall go to heaven. I certainly don�t deserve to! But, in 1976, I received salvation.
Point two is: No terrorist can send you to hell. Only God can do that. And He will do precisely that if you have not received salvation!
The Christian message is that there is life beyond the grave. The Bible speaks with authority and truth on such matters as who God is, how we can know Him, who goes to heaven or to hell. The message is the Good News that Jesus came to rescue us by dying for us on a cross. He rose again - proving the success of His mission. This message has the power to transform us into the people we should be and guarantee us a place in heaven.
This is the message of salvation that we must not ignore.
If we receive this salvation, then what shall we escape? Will we escape the trouble that the world has to offer us today? Probably not. You may even get more trouble! But, for the Christian, trouble will come to an end when we die and then spend forever in paradise! You will escape being sent to hell - the punishment your sins deserve.
Furthermore, we can have real peace (& joy & love) when we submit to Jesus as Lord. Peace even in the midst of trouble and sorrow.
If we ignore such a great salvation, we are in deep, deep trouble. On our death (or on Jesus� return) we will meet the all-powerful God whom we have offended. There will be no way of escape.
�See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?� 3
�Don�t you realise how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don�t you care? Can�t you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?� 4
Do make sure you respond to God�s offer to you - today!
How will you escape, if you ignore such a great salvation?
Pray, asking God�s forgiveness and receive Jesus as your Lord & Saviour.
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