It
may be strange to think of it, but when we say the phrase, “Come to Jesus” it
has a different meaning to some than it did just a few years ago.
For
example, you may hear someone speak of a "Come To Jesus Meeting". In
our American culture this describes a time when a polite ultimatum is given,
generally followed by a less polite ultimatum, then a threat or final option.
If you are a parent this may mean that “your meeting” is followed by a parental
spanking or some other form of punishment. If you are an adult, something more
sever may be the result of “your meeting”.
The
phrase may be used in this way: “Son, this is your only opt ion and if you do
not want to do this, then you can come here and we will have a "come to
Jesus meeting". In other words, there will be consequences to your
decision not to comply with the request.
In
reality that meaning has not changed from the original has it? Jesus came to
call all men unto him, right? For what purpose? To initiate a change in their
lives an actions and to ultimately save them from their sins. He never
threatens, but does point out the consequences for someones “failure to comply”.
The refusal to give our hearts to him, to love him enough to do what he asks
has t he consequences of eternal separation from God.
We
tend to categorize sins (the refusal to obey God’s directions) as either big
sins or little sins, but in reality they all bear the same consequences don’t
they? A good example of this is found in Revelation
21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and
murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall
have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the
second death.”
A
modern translation puts it this way: “But cowards, unbelievers, the
corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol
worshipers, and all liars, their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
This is the second death.”
What
is the second death? It is an eternal separation from God, the source of life,
which by definition is a spiritual death. If you want to understand a true
“come to Jesus meeting,” that is it. Sin of any kind is still sin and our
failure to comply with God’s request brings about the ultimate consequences,
eternal death.
How
about you, is it time for you “come to Jesus meeting?”
The
phrase may be used in this way: “Son, this is your only opt ion and if you do
not want to do this, then you can come here and we will have a "come to
Jesus meeting". In other words, there will be consequences to your
decision not to comply with the request.
In
reality that meaning has not changed from the original has it? Jesus came to
call all men unto him, right? For what purpose? To initiate a change in their
lives an actions and to ultimately save them from their sins. He never
threatens, but does point out the consequences for someones “failure to comply”.
The refusal to give our hearts to him, to love him enough to do what he asks
has t he consequences of eternal separation from God.
We
tend to categorize sins (the refusal to obey God’s directions) as either big
sins or little sins, but in reality they all bear the same consequences don’t
they? A good example of this is found in Revelation
21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and
murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall
have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the
second death.”
A
modern translation puts it this way: “But cowards, unbelievers, the
corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol
worshipers, and all liars, their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
This is the second death.”
What
is the second death? It is an eternal separation from God, the source of life,
which by definition is a spiritual death. If you want to understand a true
“come to Jesus meeting,” that is it. Sin of any kind is still sin and our
failure to comply with God’s request brings about the ultimate consequences,
eternal death.
How
about you, is it time for you “come to Jesus meeting?”
