My mother tells the story of how, as a little girl, she had a playmate over. The two of them were playing around her father’s woodpile when she noticed the axe stuck in the top of the chopping block. My mom proceeded to work the axe out of the block, and invited her little friend to extend her finger over the block, assuring her that she would “chop it off.” Without a moment’s hesitation her friend laid her finger on the block, and my mom chopped it off. Both girls were horrified as they realized what they had done. Almost every time this story was told in my youth, someone would offer, “Well, I guess you gave her a fair warning.” But, fair warning or not, it still makes me cringe to think of it, and I often wonder, how could anyone be so careless, so thoughtless, as these two little girls?
But then I am reminded that I am surrounded by people who, with that same carefree, foolhardy, willful ignorance, refuse to consider the “fair warning” that has been issued by the Almighty. God has clearly stated, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)” And those who will not heed His warning and make ready, “…shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (2 Thessalonians 1:9)” There is so much more at risk here than losing a finger. Won’t you consider God’s warning?
Perhaps you would answer, “Why would God, if there is a God, send people to eternal destruction in Hell?” If you will read His Word, the Bible, you will start to understand the seriousness of sin. You will see God as loving, merciful and gracious, but also just, righteous and holy. It is more than can be disclosed in a little article such as this, but God has not left you to ignorance; His Word is sufficient to illuminate the path that leads to His eternal presence.
But don’t take my word for it; read it for yourself and you will see, “…the word of God is quick (alive), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)”