FOR THOSE WHO WILL NOT REPENT

God’s love is phenomenal. His mercy is great. That is reassuring to know. But the Lord also knows that there are people whom, no matter what He does to reach them, just will not repent of their sins. They continue to drink, fight, curse, carouse, practice sexual perversion, endorse abortion, practice racism, steal, rob, covet, judge others, worship in other religions or no religion at all, and so on, not taking it to heart that one day He will give them over to their sins and deal with them no more till Judgment Day. There are those who slander, accuse, hinder, attack, and sometimes even kill us who are Christians, not considering that one day their words will condemn them before a holy God. They will stand accused before Him, and the accusations against them will be true. They will be hindered from heaven and helped into eternal damnation. The blows of God’s wrath and judgment will knock them into a Christless eternity of unspeakable horror, anguish, and pain, with no hope of it ever, ever, ever ending. Do you want to see what the Bible says about it? Here it is; read all of it:

Romans 1:18-32:  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.  Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.  For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

This is not someone’s opinion; it is what the inspired, living Word of God says! Also, modern Christianity has not done Jesus justice. He is often portrayed more as an effeminate, limp-wristed pansy than as the King of kings and Lord of lords that He is. In Matthew 23:13-36 He issued an ear-tingling, spine-chilling series of rebukes against the unrepentant hypocritical religious leaders of His day. Here is just a sample of what the Lord had to say:

Matthew 23:33:     “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?”

Let’s not forget also that Jesus cleared the temple twice (John 2:13-17; Mark 11:15-17), warned that blaspheming the Holy Spirit was unforgivable (Matthew 12:31-32), and made numerous references to there being weeping and gnashing of teeth by those who have been cast into outer darkness. Notice the words of Jesus here also:

Luke 12:4-5:  “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!”

As much as has been shared here today, there is plenty more the Bible says—and plenty more that Jesus says—about the final destiny of those who will not repent of their sins.  Yes, indeed, God is merciful, loving, and willing to forgive. People need to know this. But they also need to know about God’s wrath and the severity of His judgment. There will come a day, as you have seen, when God will deal no more with those of you who will not repent. All those times you’ve gotten away with your sinful indulgences, with slandering and even physically attacking a believer, and so on, all that time you still have to get right with God—one day it will be gone. Gone. Gone, and you will never be given another chance.

You will be given over to what you love to do and you will heap up more and more judgment upon yourself. On Judgment Day you will collapse under the weight of it all, and that will only be the beginning. Into the lake of fire you will go, never to emerge for all eternity. Your prayers will never be answered. Your pleas for mercy will never be heard. Your suffering in the agony of the flames will never end. Forever and ever you will be aware of all the chances you squandered when you could have been forgiven and saved by Jesus Christ. For those of you who have come against us Christians, forever you will know and understand that we are eternally joyful and safe with the Lord while you are eternally cut off. You will be the one weeping. You will be the one gnashing your teeth. And there won’t be a thing you can do about it. So now, while it is called today, repent. Do not wait one moment longer. The next day, the next hour, the next moment, it might be too late.