It is staggering to think of how such a slight difference in thinking can make the difference between heaven and hell for a person. The simple flip of faith's switch, in which a spiritual lightbulb comes on in a person's soul, may seem so small on one level - but the difference it makes is everything.
For many Sunday worshipers, the difference between heaven and hell comes down to the difference between "I will" and "I do." This difference is so perfectly illustrated in our marital customs in America. In our culture, an engagement is far less permanent than the Biblical betrothal. Irreconcilable differences and even death can end an engagement before those individuals enter into a marriage covenant together.
So many within the walls of churches say they love Jesus (and they may be somewhat sincere). They sing the hymns with gusto; serve on committees; smile; go through the motions; and may even hold high offices in a church. They know the drill, the lingo, and after all this time, they might even have convinced themselves that they are on their way to Heaven. They date Jesus, but never walk the aisle with Him. When presented with an opportunity to respond to the Gospel, they say, "I will." But you aren't married until "I will" becomes "I do." "Someday, I'll accept Christ as my Savior," is not enough of a confession of faith for someone to enter into a covenant relationship with Christ. Only when you recognize that when Jesus carried your cross to "The Place of the Skull" and died in your place, He was demonstrating His love toward you and saying, "Will you marry me - enter into a permanent covenant relationship with me for all eternity?" Father God says, "Do you, Jesus, take this sinner to be your bride?" Amazingly, Jesus has said, "I do." The difference between heaven and hell is the difference between your saying "I do," and "I will" - between marriage, and mere engagement.
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