The comforts and pleasures of this life are not worth spending eternity in Hell. While Jesus was on Earth, he told a parable about a rich man and a very poor man, a begger named Lazarus. The rich man only cared about the comfort and pleasures his money could afford him. He didn’t even care to help Lazarus, nor did he care to honor God. When the rich man died, they buried him. When the poor man died, the angels took him to Abraham’s bosom. When the rich man looked up his eyes from Hell, he requested Lazarus to dip his figure with water to cool his tongue because he was in so much torment but Abraham told him it was not possible and reminded him that he received good things in life but Lazarus did not. Now, Lazarus will be comforted, and you will be tormented. So the rich man asked if Lazarus could go and warn his brothers. Abraham told him that they have Moses and the Prophets. If they won’t listen to them, they won’t listen to someone from the dead.
Don’t live your life as the rich man. He let his desire for worldly things keep him from following God. How many people are like that today? People are so concerned about getting ahead in life, enjoying partying, drinking, sex, etc. The list can go on and on. Some people are just comfortable with just knowing about Jesus but not having a true relationship with him because they don’t want to change their lifestyle. They feel that their life is fine the way it is. If only people truly knew the goodness of God and felt the freedom of being free from the things they think they enjoy and can’t live without. There’s such freedom in living a life pleasing to God. If only people would realize the peace and joy of the Lord and the feeling of comfort during the hard times. How much would you be willing to give up for that and to go to Heaven for eternity instead of being tormented in agony for eternity with no rest. This short life doesn’t compare to eternity. Get right with God now by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. There is no forgiveness from God after death.
Scripture Reference:
Luke 16:19-31 NIV
[19] “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. [20] At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores [21] and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. [22] “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. [23] In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. [24] So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ [25] “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. [26] And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ [27] “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, [28] for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ [29] “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ [30] “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ [31] “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'”
Deborah K. Givens
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