Today, as in the days of Moses, we have two choices always set before us: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him” (Deuteronomy 30:19ff). The choice, life or death \u201d\u201d heaven or hell, is ours to make, in every living moment, and to our dying breath.<\/p>\n
God never says, “Love me or I’ll kill you.” “Love me or you’ll burn in hell.” Rather, he describes the consequence of not choosing life: “You will surely die.” This already is true in our daily lives: Just look around.<\/p>\n
Sadly, many choose such hell, and for two apparent reasons. First, the way to paradise, to heaven, to communion with God, is narrow, and few are they who find it. True life is work. It means crucifixion, forgiveness and endurance. It is definitely not the path of least resistance!<\/p>\n
Second, since the devil is so clever, we are often quite well-convinced that hell is actually paradise.<\/p>\n