I Deserve Hell

I just finished reading Janis Richardson's blog.  It is so powerful, I'm humbled to the point I wonder what's the use trying to write on my own blog?

Regardless, I'm compelled to blog on in my own fashion because I've been so blessed by the Bible study I've been concentrating on for the past 2 1/2 weeks.  In the study, Charles Spurgeon is quoted. For the two or three of you who may be reading and don't know who he was, Charles Spurgeon was a preacher in London.  His sermons were so incredible, it required a ticket to get into his services. Imagine.  If you didn't have a ticket, you couldn't go to church!  If only it were like that today.  It was also his church that brought about enactment of the law that prohibits shouting "Fire!" in a crowded building.  Someone did in his church and the resulting panicked stampede cost 6 people their lives.

But, I digress.  As I said, he's quoted in the Bible study.  Something he was quoted as saying struck me powerfully and I want to document it-as much to imprint it in my own heart and mind as to inform any who might be reading.  He said I "deserve hell."  Yes, of course I know that.  It's just not something I've ever considered.  It's something I've glossed over all my life.  Yeah, sure, I know that. Now, change the subject.

No, I've not robbed any banks, killed anyone, or committed some gross immorality, although in today's world, immorality is not even considered sin, much less gross.  In Psalms 51:5, David said I was conceived in sin.  Not that he's saying my mother committed adultery, but that because the first Adam sinned, I inherited his ability.  Sin is in the DNA.  Therefore, I deserve hell.

But, God in His great mercy and grace, made provision for my sin in the Person and work of His Son, Jesus Christ.  Contemplating Spurgeon's comment brought me to the conclusion that I could have been the one on the cross, should have been the one on the cross, and would have been the one on the cross, except for the One who took my place.  The sinless Lamb of God.

Now, if I had gone to the cross, I still would not only deserve hell, but I would be there.  Remember the two thieves on the cross? The one who hurled insults at Him?  "Aren't You the Christ?  Save Yourself and us!" (Luke 23: 39)  The second criminal set him straight.  "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.  But this Man has done nothing amiss." (Luke 23:41)  It took a sinless Person to pay the penalty for my sin.  I deserve hell, but by God's grace, I'm not going there. What about you, dear friend?  Do you know where you will go when you die?  Do you know why you'll go there?