He Will Burn Up The Chaff With Unquenchable Fire # 2

He Will Burn Up The Chaff With Unquenchable Fire # 2

And where is there warrant for saying that hell can ever change a heart, or make it fit for Heaven? hell must be eternal, or hell would cease to be hell altogether. Give a man hope - and he will bear anything. Grant a hope of deliverance, however distant - and hell is but a drop of water. Ah, reader, these are solemn things!

FOREVER is the most solemn word in the Bible! Alas, for that day which shall have no tomorrow! That day when men shall seek death, and not find it, and shall desire to die - but death shall flee from them! Who shall dwell with devouring fire! Who shall dwell with everlasting burnings!

Do you believe the Bible? Then depend upon it, hell is a subject that ought not be be kept back. It is striking to observe the many texts about it in Scripture. It is striking to observe that none say so much about it as our Lord Jesus Christ, that gracious and merciful Saviour; and the apostle John, whose heart seems full of love. Truly it may well be doubted whether we ministers speak of it as much as we ought. I cannot forget the words of a dying hearer of Mr. Newton's - "Sir, you often told me of Christ and salvation; why did you not oftener remind me of hell and danger?"

Let others be silent about hell if they will - I dare not do so. I see it plainly in Scripture, and I must speak of it. I fear that thousands are on that broad way that leads to it, and I would sincerely arouse them to a sense of the peril before them. What ought to be said of us as ministers, if we call ourselves watchmen for souls, and yet see the fires of hell raging in the distance - and never give the alarm? Call it bad taste, if you like, to speak of hell. Call it charity to make things pleasant, and speak smoothly, and soothe men with a constant lullaby of peace. From such notions of taste and charity - may I ever be delivered! My notion of charity is to warn men plainly of danger! My notion of taste in the ministerial office, is to declare all the counsel of God. If I never spoke of hell - I would think I had kept back something that was profitable - and would look on myself as an accomplice of the devil!

Reader, I beseech you, in all tender affection, beware of false views of the subject on which I have been dwelling. Beware of new and strange doctrines about hell and the eternity of punishment. Beware of manufacturing a God of your own; a God who is all mercy - but not "just"; a God who is all love - but not holy; a God who has a Heaven for everybody - but a hell for none; a God who can allow good and evil to be side by side in time - but will make no distinction between good and evil in eternity. Such a God is an idol of your own imagination! It is as true an idol as any snake. The hands of your own imagination and sentimentality have him. He is not the God of the Bible - and beside the God of the Bible - there is no god at all. A Heaven containing all sorts of sinful people, would be miserable discord indeed. Alas, for the eternity of such a Heaven, there would be little difference between it and hell! Ah, dear reader, there is a hell! There is a fire for the chaff! Take heed, lest you find it out to your cost too late!

Beware of forming fanciful theories of your own, and then trying to make the Bible square with them. Beware of making selections from your Bible to suit your taste - refusing, like a spoiled child, whatever you think bitter. What does it amount to but telling God, that you, a poor short-lived worm - know better than He? It will not do! You must take the Bible as it is. You must read it all, and believe it all. You must come to the reading of it in the spirit of a little child. Dare not to say, "I believe this verse, for I like it. I reject that, for I do not like it. I receive this, for I can agree with it. I refuse that, for I cannot reconcile it with my views." Nay! but O man, who are you that replies against God? By what right do you talk in this way? Surely, it were better to say over every chapter in the Word, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening!" Ah, reader, if men would do this, they would never deny hell, the chaff, and the fire!

~J. C. Ryle~

(The End)