THE DOOR WE CHOOSE
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:17-18 (NIV)
Many people struggle with the idea of hell. It can sound like a place God angrily sends people who disappoint Him. But when we listen closely to the words of Jesus, we discover something surprising: His focus isn’t on keeping people out of heaven. His focus is on bringing people in.
Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world, but to save it. God’s heart always moves toward rescue. Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus healing, forgiving and inviting people who thought they were too far gone. The cross itself is proof of how far God is willing to go to bring us back to Him.
Yet Jesus also speaks honestly about human choice. He says that those who reject Him stand condemned already. That phrase may sound harsh at first, but it reveals something important: condemnation isn’t God’s preferred plan. But it is the natural result of refusing the rescue He offers. C.S. Lewis wrote that in the end there are only two kinds of people: those who say to God, Your will be done, and those to whom God ultimately says, your will be done. In other words, God does not force anyone into a relationship with Him. Love that is forced isn’t love at all.
Imagine someone standing outside a warm house during a storm. The door is open, the lights are on, and a voice invites them inside. If they refuse, the storm isn’t the host’s fault. The invitation was real, the welcome genuine, but the choice was theirs. In the same way, Jesus is the open door to life with God. Hell results from choosing life apart from Him. Thankfully, the door is open—Jesus invites anyone into forgiveness, new life and a relationship with God.
APPLICATION: Take a few minutes today to reflect on your response to Jesus. Have you simply known about Him, or have you personally trusted Him? If you already follow Him, ask God to help you live with gratitude for the grace you’ve received and compassion for those who haven’t yet experienced it.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for sending Jesus as the invitation into life with You. I pray that many would come to accept the invitation and experience new life in You. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don't let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?