The truth, as I understand it, between heaven and hell. Choose Wisely, Choose Well, Choose Now.!!.
Visibility was limited as pelting rain beat against the windows of the Jeep Cherokee. Easing her foot off the accelerator, Clara Jackson struggled for control. Thoughts of the tangled threads of her life crowded her mind, along with memories of her grandmother and cold winter evenings spent in front of the fire, Clara could hardly wait to see Grammy - another hour and she would be home. A smile crossed her face as memories crowded her mind.
Just as Grammy had lovingly taught the wide-eyed young girl about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and had taken her and her friends out on Halloween, Elizabeth Jackson had taught her granddaughter to believe in the goodness of people. Clara remembered Grammy’s words: “give people a chance honey, you will see how good and kind they really are. Clara had not found people to be either good or kind and had attempted to talk to Grammy several times about her life but Grammy would not hear a negative word - 'walk in faith' Grammy said, "Just walk in faith, with a positive confession and believe".
Grammy often spoke to Clara about God: “God wants you to be happy Clara. God loves you and has a plan for your life. He wants you to work hard, keep your hopes up and keep a good positive attitude.” "Remember Clara," Grammy often said; "The Lord helps those who help themselves."
Clara worked hard to make Grammy proud. Excelling in school, excelling in her chosen profession, Clara had accomplished her mission. Smiling, she pictured Grammy sitting in her recliner, her face reflecting the glow from the fire, an afghan over her lap, a cup of hot tea by her side, Christian television playing in the background and her Bible. How often Grammy prayed that Clara would experience God.
The glare of approaching headlights went unnoticed. The blast of a horn brought attention back to the highway. Swerving to miss the oncoming vehicle, Clara heard the sound of twisting metal and breaking tree limbs. Hysterical screams tore through the silence. Memories and glass exploded as the vehicle tumbled end over end, erupting in flames as it careened over the embankment. A voice spoke through the darkness;
“The soul that sins, it shall surely die.”
Clara felt herself falling deeper and deeper into the thickness of an indescribable blackness. Anguished, tormented screams pierced through the darkness as the gentle voice of Grammy whispered deep within her soul: “believe in yourself Clara. Always be kind to others, believe for good things and expect God’ favor. Remember Clara, the recognition of God is the recognition of yourself.”
Clara lay face down on the floor, trembling in fear. Her journey over, or had it just begun? In the distance, Clara heard footsteps moving in her direction, the sound of a bell grew louder with each step. Feeling herself begin to relax Clara smiled, she was not alone. Raising her head in the direction of the footsteps she could make out a shadowy silhouette. The figure moved forward, stopping directly in front of her. Clara saw the figure carried a dimly lit lantern and small book, a golden sash was tied around the waist, a small golden bell visible among the folds of a long white robe. Shadows from the lantern dispelled the fear that only seconds ago was chocking life from Clara. Adjusting her sweater, pushing hair from her face, Clara stood and looked deep into the eyes of The Saviour. Her smile vanished, fear returned as an unexplained dread crept into her spirit. Clara struggled to remain standing.
“Clara Elizabeth Jackson?”
Piercing black eyes stared back at Clara. Eyes so filled with love, yet etched with pain and determination. Eyes that pierced through her body, into her soul exploding through her spirit. Eyes that reflected her past her present and her most certain future.
Clara nodded as once again, He spoke --
“What do you see?” Clara sank to her knees and through trembling lips whispered - “I see the face of God.”
The voice spoke with authority - “I AM!”
Clara heard the rustling of pages as The Saviour continued to speak:
“You stood in your own strength believing in yourself, in your own ability. You had no need of God. You did what was right in your own eyes without consideration of Almighty God and His Beloved Son – hoping your good deeds would outweigh the bad and God would welcome you to an eternity with Him because of your goodness. You did what seemed good to you – you felt no need to learn God's will or His ways. Those who do not follow the LORD Jesus do not belong to Him.
The Word of God is clear, 'All are like one who is unclean, all their righteous deeds are as filthy rags, all wither like a leaf, and their iniquities, their sins, like the wind, take them away.'
You had neither time for nor interest in the things of God but felt well able to control your own life, doing what pleased you, fulfilling your own dreams, your own desires. You measured your success and failure against others, never giving thought to your eternal destiny. You thought yourself not as bad as some, far better than most. You chose to please man rather than to grow in knowledge and be obedient to God.
It is written, 'All the ways of man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.'
In haughty defence of her past, fighting for her future, Clara began to scream: “No! You are wrong, I was – I am a good person, I am not a sinner.” Words, phrases, incoherent thoughts jumbled together tumbling one over another, exploding out of her mouth: “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I am a volunteer at the hospital every month, well almost every month. I go to church with my cousin every Christmas Eve, I love the Christmas story. I give to charity, I give to the United Way. That's helping the poor. I don't steal; I have never killed anybody, I don't lie, I am very honest. You do not understand, I did everything Grammy told me; I listened, I learned, I believed everything Grammy told me. It is all in her Bible. This is not right - this is not fair, I am a good person.”
It is written; ' The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it. For - All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.' If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them, because friendship with the world is hatred toward God. Not everyone who says LORD – LORD will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the will of The Sovereign LORD.. Elizabeth Jackson spoke not truth as it is written in The Word of God, but the sin is yours to bear for you were responsible to grow and to learn. The Word was given to everyone for guidance and growth. You say you are a good person, yet The Word teaches that if any say they have no sin they deceive themselves and the truth is not to be found in them.”
From far away Clara could hear voices, calling her name, bidding her “come.” Turning in their direction, her feet propelled her forward - faster and faster, then abruptly they stopped. Clara watched in wide-eyed horror as men and women the young and the old tumbled into the eternal grasp of the wrath of The Sovereign God. Each walked steadily forward, seemingly unaware and unconcerned, too late realizing their fate; a fate sealed by choices they themselves had made while on earth. Lost souls, one after another, plummeted into the fiery torment of their eternal damnation. The agonizing moans of the condemned rang in her ears as each realized they now faced God. A God who once would have been their Saviour, was now their Judge. Clara covered her ears in a futile attempt to block out the tormented screams of those bound for an eternity of miseries and unimagined pain, separated from goodness - without hope, without love, surrounded by bitterness, hatred and regret. Living for all eternity with the knowledge of who God could have been and who, in perfect justice, He had become.
Struggling for words Clara spoke: “I do not understand. What horribly wicked things have these done to deserve such punishment? If God loves everyone, why are they here? How could You allow this? How could a loving God send people to hell?”
– “The choice is not Almighty God', but man’s to make
It is written; ' If you confess with your mouth the LORD Jesus and believe in your heart that He has been raised from the dead, you shall be saved - for with the heart one believes to righteousness and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.'
Almighty God – demands His creation walk in holiness and purity: 'Be holy for I AM holy.' Knowing this was not possible; God sent His Son, the LORD Jesus The Saviour, Israel' Messiah, to take the punishment due His creation. In holiness and purity, The LORD Jesus Christ has satisfied the demand and punishment of sin. Acceptance in your heart of the great price Jesus Christ paid, your obedience to The Word, to love, to serve, to learn The Way shows a heart of gratitude, a heart of love, a heart of repentance and change.
Many trust in their own strength, living to please self without thought of God or His Son. Many see themselves as honest hardworking moral people, trusting in their own goodness, without sin, without need of forgiveness or Salvation. Many believe good works gain God’s favor. In their head, they know about Jesus Christ, yet in their hearts they remain cold and distant.
If while these lived but a brief time on earth, they had no desire or felt a need to learn or follow the ways of The LORD Jesus Christ –why would they choose to spend eternity with Him and the Father?
Individual choices condemn the souls of men - not Almighty God.
Too late Clara saw the sinfulness of her soul. Too late she recognized her disobedience to the Word of God and her rejection of the true and living God; The Saviour of all who would believe. Too late she saw her denial of the LORD Jesus Christ and her dependence on self.
Too late Clara saw her future: Punishment without comfort, punishment without compassion, punishment without sympathy, punishment without relief. Too late Clara cried out to God.
- It is appointed for man to die once and after this comes judgment.
Visibility was limited as pelting rain beat against the windows of the Jeep Cherokee. Easing her foot off the accelerator, Clara Jackson struggled for control. Thoughts of the tangled threads of her life crowded her mind, along with memories of her grandmother and cold winter evenings spent in front of the fire, Clara could hardly wait to see Grammy - another hour and she would be home. A smile crossed her face as memories crowded her mind.
Just as Grammy had lovingly taught the wide-eyed young girl about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and had taken her and her friends out on Halloween, Elizabeth Jackson had taught her granddaughter to believe in the goodness of people. Clara remembered Grammy’s words: “give people a chance honey, you will see how good and kind they really are. Clara had not found people to be either good or kind and had attempted to talk to Grammy several times about her life but Grammy would not hear a negative word - 'walk in faith' Grammy said, "Just walk in faith, with a positive confession and believe".
Grammy often spoke to Clara about God: “God wants you to be happy Clara. God loves you and has a plan for your life. He wants you to work hard, keep your hopes up and keep a good positive attitude.” "Remember Clara," Grammy often said; "The Lord helps those who help themselves."
Clara worked hard to make Grammy proud. Excelling in school, excelling in her chosen profession, Clara had accomplished her mission. Smiling, she pictured Grammy sitting in her recliner, her face reflecting the glow from the fire, an afghan over her lap, a cup of hot tea by her side, Christian television playing in the background and her Bible. How often Grammy prayed that Clara would experience God.
The glare of approaching headlights went unnoticed. The blast of a horn brought attention back to the highway. Swerving to miss the oncoming vehicle, Clara heard the sound of twisting metal and breaking tree limbs. Hysterical screams tore through the silence. Memories and glass exploded as the vehicle tumbled end over end, erupting in flames as it careened over the embankment. A voice spoke through the darkness;
“The soul that sins, it shall surely die.”
Clara felt herself falling deeper and deeper into the thickness of an indescribable blackness. Anguished, tormented screams pierced through the darkness as the gentle voice of Grammy whispered deep within her soul: “believe in yourself Clara. Always be kind to others, believe for good things and expect God’ favor. Remember Clara, the recognition of God is the recognition of yourself.”
Clara lay face down on the floor, trembling in fear. Her journey over, or had it just begun? In the distance, Clara heard footsteps moving in her direction, the sound of a bell grew louder with each step. Feeling herself begin to relax Clara smiled, she was not alone. Raising her head in the direction of the footsteps she could make out a shadowy silhouette. The figure moved forward, stopping directly in front of her. Clara saw the figure carried a dimly lit lantern and small book, a golden sash was tied around the waist, a small golden bell visible among the folds of a long white robe. Shadows from the lantern dispelled the fear that only seconds ago was chocking life from Clara. Adjusting her sweater, pushing hair from her face, Clara stood and looked deep into the eyes of The Saviour. Her smile vanished, fear returned as an unexplained dread crept into her spirit. Clara struggled to remain standing.
“Clara Elizabeth Jackson?”
Piercing black eyes stared back at Clara. Eyes so filled with love, yet etched with pain and determination. Eyes that pierced through her body, into her soul exploding through her spirit. Eyes that reflected her past her present and her most certain future.
Clara nodded as once again, He spoke --
“What do you see?” Clara sank to her knees and through trembling lips whispered - “I see the face of God.”
The voice spoke with authority - “I AM!”
Clara heard the rustling of pages as The Saviour continued to speak:
“You stood in your own strength believing in yourself, in your own ability. You had no need of God. You did what was right in your own eyes without consideration of Almighty God and His Beloved Son – hoping your good deeds would outweigh the bad and God would welcome you to an eternity with Him because of your goodness. You did what seemed good to you – you felt no need to learn God's will or His ways. Those who do not follow the LORD Jesus do not belong to Him.
The Word of God is clear, 'All are like one who is unclean, all their righteous deeds are as filthy rags, all wither like a leaf, and their iniquities, their sins, like the wind, take them away.'
You had neither time for nor interest in the things of God but felt well able to control your own life, doing what pleased you, fulfilling your own dreams, your own desires. You measured your success and failure against others, never giving thought to your eternal destiny. You thought yourself not as bad as some, far better than most. You chose to please man rather than to grow in knowledge and be obedient to God.
It is written, 'All the ways of man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.'
In haughty defence of her past, fighting for her future, Clara began to scream: “No! You are wrong, I was – I am a good person, I am not a sinner.” Words, phrases, incoherent thoughts jumbled together tumbling one over another, exploding out of her mouth: “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I am a volunteer at the hospital every month, well almost every month. I go to church with my cousin every Christmas Eve, I love the Christmas story. I give to charity, I give to the United Way. That's helping the poor. I don't steal; I have never killed anybody, I don't lie, I am very honest. You do not understand, I did everything Grammy told me; I listened, I learned, I believed everything Grammy told me. It is all in her Bible. This is not right - this is not fair, I am a good person.”
It is written; ' The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it. For - All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.' If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them, because friendship with the world is hatred toward God. Not everyone who says LORD – LORD will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the will of The Sovereign LORD.. Elizabeth Jackson spoke not truth as it is written in The Word of God, but the sin is yours to bear for you were responsible to grow and to learn. The Word was given to everyone for guidance and growth. You say you are a good person, yet The Word teaches that if any say they have no sin they deceive themselves and the truth is not to be found in them.”
From far away Clara could hear voices, calling her name, bidding her “come.” Turning in their direction, her feet propelled her forward - faster and faster, then abruptly they stopped. Clara watched in wide-eyed horror as men and women the young and the old tumbled into the eternal grasp of the wrath of The Sovereign God. Each walked steadily forward, seemingly unaware and unconcerned, too late realizing their fate; a fate sealed by choices they themselves had made while on earth. Lost souls, one after another, plummeted into the fiery torment of their eternal damnation. The agonizing moans of the condemned rang in her ears as each realized they now faced God. A God who once would have been their Saviour, was now their Judge. Clara covered her ears in a futile attempt to block out the tormented screams of those bound for an eternity of miseries and unimagined pain, separated from goodness - without hope, without love, surrounded by bitterness, hatred and regret. Living for all eternity with the knowledge of who God could have been and who, in perfect justice, He had become.
Struggling for words Clara spoke: “I do not understand. What horribly wicked things have these done to deserve such punishment? If God loves everyone, why are they here? How could You allow this? How could a loving God send people to hell?”
– “The choice is not Almighty God', but man’s to make
It is written; ' If you confess with your mouth the LORD Jesus and believe in your heart that He has been raised from the dead, you shall be saved - for with the heart one believes to righteousness and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.'
Almighty God – demands His creation walk in holiness and purity: 'Be holy for I AM holy.' Knowing this was not possible; God sent His Son, the LORD Jesus The Saviour, Israel' Messiah, to take the punishment due His creation. In holiness and purity, The LORD Jesus Christ has satisfied the demand and punishment of sin. Acceptance in your heart of the great price Jesus Christ paid, your obedience to The Word, to love, to serve, to learn The Way shows a heart of gratitude, a heart of love, a heart of repentance and change.
Many trust in their own strength, living to please self without thought of God or His Son. Many see themselves as honest hardworking moral people, trusting in their own goodness, without sin, without need of forgiveness or Salvation. Many believe good works gain God’s favor. In their head, they know about Jesus Christ, yet in their hearts they remain cold and distant.
If while these lived but a brief time on earth, they had no desire or felt a need to learn or follow the ways of The LORD Jesus Christ –why would they choose to spend eternity with Him and the Father?
Individual choices condemn the souls of men - not Almighty God.
Too late Clara saw the sinfulness of her soul. Too late she recognized her disobedience to the Word of God and her rejection of the true and living God; The Saviour of all who would believe. Too late she saw her denial of the LORD Jesus Christ and her dependence on self.
Too late Clara saw her future: Punishment without comfort, punishment without compassion, punishment without sympathy, punishment without relief. Too late Clara cried out to God.
- It is appointed for man to die once and after this comes judgment.
