"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Friday, September 1, 2023 - Day 244 - (Today’s Bible readings: Esther 10; Psalm 62; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12)
WISHFUL THINKING
“... when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 ESV)
Wishful thinking is something most folks engage in on a regular basis. If your MLB team has done miserably for the first half of the season, it is wishful thinking to hope that they still have a chance of winning the World Series. Another example is the student who has not prepared for the big test. It is wishful thinking to hope to get an “A” on that test. While those cases are sad, they are not tragic.
However, there is one case of wishful thinking that is certainly tragic. “My god (yes “g”) wouldn’t send anyone to hell.” However the fact remains that God does condemn impenitent sinners to hell. Flaming fire, relentless suffering, and eternal regret are the eternal facts for all and any who reject Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord.
Jesus makes it so very clear:
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV)
Peter reveals this same clear message:
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 ESV)
Delay not, delay not, O sinner, draw near.
The waters of life are now flowing for you.
No price is demanded, the Savior is here,
Redemption is purchased, God’s promise is true.
Delay not, delay not, O sinner, to come;
For mercy still lingers and calls you today.
Its voice is not heard in the vale of the tomb;
Its message, unheeded, will soon pass away.
Delay not, delay not! The Spirit of grace,
Long grieved and resisted, may take his sad flight
And leave you in darkness to finish your race,
To sink in the gloom of eternity’s night.
Delay not, delay not! The hour is at hand;
The earth will dissolve, and the heavens will fade.
The dead, small and great, in the judgment must stand.
What power, then, O sinner, can lend you its aid?
Delay not, delay not! Why longer abuse
The love and compassion of Jesus, your God?
A fountain is opened; how can you refuse
To wash and be cleansed in his pardoning blood?
(“Delay Not, Delay Not, O Sinner, Draw Near, Lutheran Worship #349)
Lord Jesus, help me to always believe in You as the way, the truth, and the life. And help me to share this truth in a winsome way with everyone. In Your saving name. Amen.
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