Spiritual Practices: Keyword Listing
Keyword listing is a method of observational Bible study. It doesn’t require any special skills, tools, or training. You can read more about the process of keyword listing here. You can choose any word or short phrase to study using keyword listing. For this passage, we suggest the following keyword(s) to start your study.
Starting Points
Keyword listing is a method of observational Bible study. It doesn’t require any special skills, tools, or training. You can read more about the process of keyword listing here. You can choose any word or short phrase to study using keyword listing. For this passage, we suggest the following keyword(s) to start your study.
Starting Points
- Christ Jesus (and related pronouns) - Explore the mind of Christ
Exploring the Text: Confessing Jesus as Lord
Just the other day, I was involved in a conversation that left me quite concerned. During this discussion with three other people, someone mentioned the concept of burning in hell. Another person stated, “I can’t be sentenced to hell, because I do not believe in it.” I responded with the truth, but my heart was grieved and concerned for this individual.
Our society has fed us a big lie. It says that you can believe what you want. You can even say and act as you want to with no consequences for your actions. This lie is even being told by some of the smartest and most professional people in our world. These people may have knowledge by the world standards, but they lack wisdom because, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10).
The truth is found in the Bible. The story of Jesus is more than just a story. It really happened. Jesus really is the Son of God. He humbled Himself, was born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died on the Cross, and rose again. I could go on with several scriptures, historical facts, documentaries, and other evidence to prove the point, but that would be too much for this particular writing.
Today's verses state that everyone will someday confess that “Jesus is Lord.” This will either take place at salvation or at final judgment when we realize that to be the truth. Why would anyone want to confess to Him later, rather than now?
Back to the conversation from above, hell is still a real place whether the other person believes in it or not. If I said that I do not believe in Disney World, that would not change the fact that there is a huge Disney themed park in Florida by that name. The same is true in this situation.
I tell you the truth, because the truth will set you free (John 8:32). Accept the truths of the Scriptures today. Accept Jesus into your heart so that you can live for Him and avoid the reality of being in hell.
If you have already confessed Jesus in your life, rejoice in the fact that He has died for you. And continue to invite others to accept Him as well.
Rick Heinrich
Just the other day, I was involved in a conversation that left me quite concerned. During this discussion with three other people, someone mentioned the concept of burning in hell. Another person stated, “I can’t be sentenced to hell, because I do not believe in it.” I responded with the truth, but my heart was grieved and concerned for this individual.
Our society has fed us a big lie. It says that you can believe what you want. You can even say and act as you want to with no consequences for your actions. This lie is even being told by some of the smartest and most professional people in our world. These people may have knowledge by the world standards, but they lack wisdom because, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10).
The truth is found in the Bible. The story of Jesus is more than just a story. It really happened. Jesus really is the Son of God. He humbled Himself, was born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died on the Cross, and rose again. I could go on with several scriptures, historical facts, documentaries, and other evidence to prove the point, but that would be too much for this particular writing.
Today's verses state that everyone will someday confess that “Jesus is Lord.” This will either take place at salvation or at final judgment when we realize that to be the truth. Why would anyone want to confess to Him later, rather than now?
Back to the conversation from above, hell is still a real place whether the other person believes in it or not. If I said that I do not believe in Disney World, that would not change the fact that there is a huge Disney themed park in Florida by that name. The same is true in this situation.
I tell you the truth, because the truth will set you free (John 8:32). Accept the truths of the Scriptures today. Accept Jesus into your heart so that you can live for Him and avoid the reality of being in hell.
If you have already confessed Jesus in your life, rejoice in the fact that He has died for you. And continue to invite others to accept Him as well.
Rick Heinrich