Preventive medical procedures are prominent in today’s world. Spiritual preventive procedures are needed even more. God warns us of hell, and those warnings show that God does not want anyone to go there (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4).
As parents we are diligent to keep our children safe, and God’s “preventives” can keep His family out of hell. He sets up a series of “roadblocks” to keep us away from that place. He does not “chain” us to His side, taking away our free will, but He wants us to avoid that place.
1. The Cross of Jesus Christ
How can one resist the message of the cross? In Romans 5:6-8 we are made aware of the great love of God for us, going far beyond what any man would ordinarily do for another human being. God gave His only Son as the sacrifice for our sins.
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
In the cross of Christ we see God’s love blended with His mercy and His justice, the only way we can win the battle with Satan. Yes, the cross is a blessed gift, pointing us to the right path.
2. Gospel Preaching
We are warned of the sad consequences of “hiding” the gospel, 2 Corinthians 4:3. Satan could have no more deadly way of sending us to an eternity in hell with him than for Christians to hide the gospel from the lost. It may seem strange, but there are many who have the gospel, but “hide” it from themselves.
We cannot “obey the gospel” (2 Thessalonians 1:8), if we do not hear, read, and study it. The gospel of Jesus Christ is our “exit ramp” from the road to hell.
3. Godly, Happy Christian Homes
When a family prays together and encourages one another to be true to their Lord, Satan must shed many, many tears. With a father and a mother who love each other, love God and their children, the “gates” of hell are given a blow that Satan cannot overcome. If every home lived up to the sentiments of David found in Psalms 34:3, hell could not overcome them. He gives an excellent motto for any family to honor and live by:
“O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”
4. Generous, Giving Christians
The words of Jesus are often quoted, but perhaps not as often practiced. It is easier to think that “getting” is better than “giving,” but He said “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” Acts 20:35. Our lives are not diminished when we contribute to the spread of the gospel – our lives are blessed, and we reveal just how much we love the Lord. See 2 Corinthians, chapters 8-9.
When we send out messengers with the gospel message we are a part of a wonderful effort to save souls and glorify God. Plus, we are going on the strait and narrow path to heaven, not hell.
5. Friends, Brothers/Sisters in Christ
The term “fellowship” has fallen on hard times in recent years. Far too often it carries with it the portrait of a person with a full plate balanced precariously on his knee rather than a “working” together in the kingdom of God. Oh, we can eat together and sing together and play together with results that are positive. But when we work together for Christ, we keep Satan at arms length in our life and defeat his efforts in the lives of others. Yes, our brethren are tremendously important in keeping us on the “right way” (2 Peter 2:15), and away from the road to hell.
Some of the people sitting in front of you, right next to you or behind you, who extend their hand to you, who sing and pray with you – they serve as helpful roadblocks on the road to hell!
We all need the Lord
and each other in our lives. God wants us
off that road to hell, and what He has done can keep us far away from it. Watch for the signs!
