August 7, 2016 - WISHFUL THINKING

Day 220 - 2 Thessalonians Sunday (chapters 1-3) 

“... 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)

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.

“See” you at the Communion table this morning.

Pastor David Paape 

The following link is to the 52 Week Bible Reading Plan upon which these devotions are based.  http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf