The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Back in our youthful twenties, April and I would throw a suitcase in the car and speed away from our home. Friday had come, and we were escaping. Our plan was simple: Land somewhere we had never been.
We called it a ‘roundabout,’ because we had no idea where we were going. To begin, we put the four directions in a hat. April had the honor of pulling one of the directions out of the hat. If the paper slip said ‘north’ we would drive north until we couldn’t drive north anymore. Then April pulled another paper slip from the hat until she hit either ‘east’ or ‘west.’
Randomly picking a new direction was frivolous fun until the sunset materialized. At that point, we found ourselves in dire need of finding a motel to land for the night.
This is difficult when you’re sitting at a forlorn ‘T’ with a corn field on one side, and a cow pasture on the other side. The cows stare at you as if to say, “What are you doing out here?” Followed by, “Bring any hay?”
Fortunately, we never spent any night in the car. And we did enjoy interesting sights along the way. For example, in Corydon, Iowa, we ate in a former bank turned into a restaurant. Jesse James robbed it years ago, and we were sitting in the same room in which he drew his six-shooter and demanded all the cash. Out of the billions of people living on the earth, less than one per cent can make that claim. April and I are a part of that unique group.
‘Roundabouts’ aren’t real life. In real life, decisions are always before us, and we can’t draw answers out of a hat.
It’s also crucial to understand the road to eternal life isn’t a roundabout. The next life immediately presents a crucial ‘T.’ Every person who has ever lived must make one critical decision connected to that ‘T:’ What will you do with Jesus Christ? Will you reject Him or invite Him into your life as your Savior?
Since our eternal lives are at stake, would it suffice to simply flip a coin? Heads—we trust Jesus; Tails—we don’t. Or would it be wise to follow the majority who reject Him?
Solomon writes this in Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Solomon isn’t speaking of our physical death. Whether we choose east or west on the ‘T,’ we’re all going to die physically.
Solomon is pointing to the second death described several times in the book of Revelation. The second death points to everyone who ends up in Hell for eternity. It’s a living death. The conditions of the second death are numerous: separation from God, eternally living in darkness, an existence void of love, joy, peace, and goodness, and an existence drenched in evil, sadness and hatred. You continually dwell unable to rest from one condition: the gnashing of your teeth. You wish your existence to cease, but you know it’s forever.
You landed in Hell because it seemed right to reject Jesus as your Savior. You ignored Him when He said, “…I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
This verse clarifies the decision every person must make. You must acknowledge John 14:6, and either declare Jesus to be a liar or ask Him to be your Savior. No other choice exists.
Don’t overlook the simplicity of it. The decision isn’t derived from someone handing you a list of actions to do in order to obtain Heaven and escape Hell. It’s not a decision about whether or not you do or don’t do a list. Also, you have neither the luxury nor the power of creating your own list to ensure your entrance into Heaven. John 14:6 tells you everything you need to know.
Jesus stands before you and asks, “What are you going to do about me? Thumbs up or thumbs down?” Remember, there is a way that seems right. But it’s not.