Lesson Seventeen • Judgment and Hell
Devotion 2: The Urgency of the Gospel
Pastor Justin Dean
One thing I have always struggled with is procrastination. Science projects were always started the night before being due, homework in high school was done in the class before, and papers in college were turned in at the last possible minute. I like to think that I am not the only one who struggles with procrastinating.
Naturally, we want to put off things that are uncomfortable or difficult, especially when we think we have time to do them later. Often times we are most guilty of this when it comes to sharing the Gospel. If we are honest, it can be difficult, awkward, and uncomfortable sharing the Gospel with others. We tend to want to put it off or “wait for the right time.” Sometimes we forget the inevitable judgment that is coming because we do not want to think it is happening any time soon.
Revelation 20:11-15 says, “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
The only way your name ends up in the Book of Life is through belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A relationship with Jesus Christ starts through admitting that you are a sinner in need of a Savior, and that Savior is Jesus, through His death on the cross for our sins and His resurrection from the dead. So many people do not believe or have never even heard this truth. It is our job to tell them.
Paul reminds us of the need to preach this truth in Romans 10:13-14, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”
We know what is coming, and we know that what saves is a relationship with Jesus Christ. So, how will people hear if we do not make it a priority to tell them? It cannot be something that we procrastinate. It is urgent, as urgent as a life-threatening wound. The eternal destination of our coworkers, friends, and family members is at stake every day we avoid the Gospel conversation. It is not something that we can afford to put off. As intimidating, awkward, or uncomfortable as it may be, it is something we must make urgent.
Maybe you feel like you do not know where to start when it comes to talking to people about Jesus. I would encourage you to start by telling them how and why you came to know Jesus. Your story is incredible, you were saved from your sin, and because they know you, it will impact them. You have experienced something they need, a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
As you finish up this devotion, I would encourage you to take some time to pray. Ask God to put some people on your heart who need to hear the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. Write their names down. What is stopping you from talking to them about Jesus? Are those reasons worth the risk of them never hearing the Gospel?