SAVED FROM THE PITS OF HELL

“Out of My sight, you evildoers!” –Matthew 7:23

How bad can things get? We could unconditionally surrender to the enemy and be led captive into exile (2 Kgs 24:12). The treasures of our faith could be carried off, and we could witness horrific sacrileges (see 2 Kgs 24:13). We could be brought so “very low” (Ps 79:8) that “there is no one to bury” the dead (Ps 79:3). Consequently, the corpses of God’s servants became “food to the birds of heaven” and “to the beasts of the earth” (Ps 79:2). Just imagine a dog or a rat chewing on your mother’s dead body. How bad can things get?

Why do such atrocities happen? Why does the Lord describe this in the Bible? The Lord is showing us the hellish results of sin. This should lead us to repent. The wages of sin (Rm 6:23) should especially lead us to thank Jesus for saving us by taking our sins on Himself (1 Pt 2:24) and dying for love of us. Jesus has not just saved us from some unpleasantness. He has saved us from unspeakable degradation. Accept Jesus’ gift of salvation. Thank Jesus, our Savior – constantly and forever.

PRAYER: “I’m forever grateful to You. I’m forever grateful for the cross.”

PROMISE: “None of those who cry out, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of God but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven.” –Mt 7:21

PRAISE: Having been freed by Jesus from addiction, Roberta praises God daily for her freedom