Hi Drew,

I understand when you say that we all deserve to go to hell. It put me in mind of a quote from Shakespeare’s Hamlet (we studied it in High School): “..use every man after his deserts, then who should scape whipping?” Is that what you mean? So, if I understand you rightly, then the “grace” of God is like mercy. We are only “let off” our punishment because God chooses it. Is that so? It kinda makes sense if he is a loving God as we are told. I “Googled” Jonathan Edwards. He seems to have been quite the preacher. But he says God is an “angry” God and we can be liable to slide into hell at any time. Can I quote you from his “Sinner in the hands of an Angry God”. He says, referring to Deuteronomy chapter 32 verse 35

“That the reason why they are not fallen already and do not fall now is only that God’s appointed time is not come. For it is said, that when that due time, or appointed time comes, their foot shall slide. Then they shall be left to fall, as they are inclined by their own weight. God will not hold them up in these slippery places any longer, but will let them go; and then, at that very instant, they shall fall into destruction; as he that stands on such slippery declining ground, on the edge of a pit, he cannot stand alone, when he is let go he immediately falls and is lost.”

This worries me a bit. What if God suddenly says, “Jack, the appointed time for you has come”. Would I be left to fall? Drew, I can tell you now, I don’t really fancy that prospect. I hadn’t realised that things were so urgent. I suppose the appointed time could be anytime, like today even. Drew, what must I do? I have read all your letters and you have probably already spelled it out. I’m sorry if I’m making you repeat yourself but this is more important than I had realised. In a nutshell, what must I do so that God doesn’t let me slip into hell?

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Jack

Sir Jack Whom I Email and Who Emails Back,

Jonathan Edwards was quite the preacher. The man prepared sermons on horseback and used and reused paper until there was no more room to write on it. Imagine what the cat could have done with a laptop and a blog!

It is a serious matter that Edwards writes of in Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. First off, let me tell you (and not to divert the issue) that just as horrifically as Jonathan Edwards wrote of hell, he equally as vivid describes the wonders of heaven and being with God. He was a man that had a grasp on the seriousness and the majesty of God, and this perspective led him to understand more than most the gravitas with which God must be treated. We’re not talking about Santa Claus, or Gumby, or Mr. Rogers; this is the God of who created the heavens and the earth by his word through Jesus. This is the God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the God of Edwards.

I’m glad you brought up Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God because in it Jonathan Edwards describes us being on a slippery slope. This is sin as we have talked about it. Our love of sin is destroying us. Furthermore, our sin makes a law breaker. We have broken God’s law. This can be plainly seen if we compare ourselves to the famous Ten Commandments:

1. Has God been foremost in my desiring, or is everything about me? I’m a lawbreaker.
2. Have I worshiped fake gods (sex, money, success, materialism, myself), and not the Creator of the universe? I’m a lawbreaker.
3. Have I taken God’s name in vain? Have I blasphemed against Jesus? I’m a lawbreaker.
4. Have I set aside a day to rest and worship God? (This should be everyday.) I’m a lawbreaker.
5. Have I honored my father and mother, or have I been disobedient? I’m a lawbreaker.
6. Have I murdered someone? Jesus stepped this one up and said that even if I have been so angry that I have hated my brother, I am guilty. I’m a lawbreaker.
7. Have I had sex with someone that I’m not married to? Jesus also stepped this one up and said that if I have lusted after a woman in my heart, I am guilty. I am a lawbreaker.
8. Have I lied? Guilty.
9. Have I wanted something so much that wasn’t mine (coveted)? I’m a lawbreaker.

I’m a lawbreaker and thereby guilty. In the New Testament it says that the Law was given so that we might see how much of a sinner (lawbreaker) we are and how much we are in need of rescuing; because what is the just thing for a judge to do to a lawbreaker but condemn? We are guilty.

You’ve heard John 3:16–“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life?” This is the gospel: namely, that while we are guilty because we are lawbreakers, Jesus Christ has died for us to forgive our sins that upon repenting and placing our faith in him we can have our sins washed away and be cleansed and be righteous before God.

This is the gospel: God rescuing us in Jesus. Jesus is God in human form. Jesus took the penalty of our sin upon him and thereby canceled out the debt against us. All we have to do is turn to him in faith and repentance and God has promised that he would save us. “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord [Jesus] shall be saved.” The Bible is full of God’s promises towards us. He has rescued us! He has accepted our penalty in Jesus. If we turn away from our sinful lifestyle and trust in Jesus as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, God promises, that he will rescue us now, giving us abundant life and joy, and will rescue us when “that due time, or appointed time comes.” We then have nothing to fear for God is in control. We can trust that when God says our appointed time is up, everything will be OK even if it seems scary or painful.

Our appointed times could be any day or any moment that’s why its important to seek after God while he may be found. “Today is the day of salvation.” Don’t delay.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matthew 13:44). Buy that field, Jack.

–drew

PS. What must you do? In real, practical terms: call out to God. Tell God how you feel. Tell him that you fear death and know that you are a lawbreaker guilty of breaking his law. There is no formula. Just heartfelt remorse at your sins and placing your faith in Jesus. “Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and that I need you. I turn away from my sins and trust in you for forgiveness. Save me.”