Are You Loved in Heaven, A Pest on the Earth and Hated in Hell?
(Living for Christ in Christ-less Culture)
Here are three simple questions that flow from three texts in the New Testament that can be used as a ruler or measuring stick for our discipleship. They aren’t the only tools of measurement, but they aren’t a bad place to start.
-
Are You Loved in Heaven? (Romans 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:4)
If you are loved in heaven, it means that you have repented of sin and believed on the finished work of Christ for your salvation. You are not trusting in yourself. You are placing all your hope on what Jesus did in dying for your sin, rising from the dead and being your propitiating sacrifice that appeases the righteous wrath of God.
-
Are You a Pest on Earth? (Acts 24:5)
Paul proclaimed the gospel. He gave verbal testimony to the supremacy of Christ over all things and the result was that he was both loved and hated. He was both listened to, and railed against. Christians will always be on the outside of the spirit of their age. And that means that we need to listen and remember what Jesus taught in Matthew 5:10-11. Go and read it. It is sobering. And, if we are a real Christians as opposed to fakes, it will make us a “pests” to the age in which we live. -
Are You Hated in Hell? (Acts 19:15)
Interesting story from the early church. People began to copy the apostles words but some had not truly believed in Christ. Seven sons of a Jewish hight priest were trying to cast out demons by evoking the name of Jesus “who Paul proclaims”. But the evil spirit answered them with some ominous words. “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize but who are you?” That raises the an important question. Are you famous in hell? Jesus and Paul are, and they are hated in hell too.
Is it our ambition to be hated in hell?
ChosenRebel's Blog 