"Hell"

A cowboy man, from church I ran,

When I was grown enough,

Grew up there, but felt I swear,

I’d ne’er be up to snuff.

For churchy folk and what they spoke,

‘Bout being saved and all,

The flames of hell to hear ‘em tell,

Was probably where I’d fall.

Years went by, sometimes they’d try,

To win me back again,

The threat was real and then I’d feel,

That guilt and shame begin.

At Christmas went and Easter spent,

With family worship time,

They’d work hell in, call out my sin,

Remind me of my crime.

The hell you see, began for me,

Not later like they said,

But day to day in countless ways,

I felt already dead.

So later threat and endless debt,

Was no concern to me,

Because the pain and daily drain,

Were all that I could see.

But then somehow I will allow,

The Good Lord sent a man,

Who spoke to me, so real you see,

It had to be God’s plan,

About the love from up above,

That valued me despite,

My sinful heart and selfish part,

And running from the light,

Though hell is real the Lord can heal,

What’s bound to send us there,

Sets us free, alive to be,

Enfolded in God’s care.

And though I ran, this horseback man,

Was welcomed by His grace,

And thankfully I’m His, you see,

Equipped to run His race.

Relieved from hell and live to tell,

Both now and when I die,

I’m Spirit-born, no longer scorn,

The Word we should apply.

“I tell you the truth, those who listen to My message and believe in God who sent Me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death to life.” (John 5:24, NLT)

Hell is real and I agree with everything the Bible says about it. That said, being saved from hell is only a part of God’s Good News. If we make “fire insurance” our main or only emphasis, people may get tired of the threat and never truly understand the message. Hell and heaven begin now. When we give our lives to Jesus we pass from death to life both now and eternally. We not only escape the threat of hell but receive a life of peace and purpose. We are saved by grace not only because of our sin but because of our eternal value in God’s eyes. It’s not just what we miss but what we gain when we receive saving grace.

Lord, help us receive the full message of Your salvation, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Robert “Shoofly” Shufelt, used by permission. Thanks, Robert, and God bless you.