Sometimes, we come face to face with a verse in the Bible that we actually don’t want to read, averse that we wish wasn’t there. But we need to hear it, because it’s the truth. When children of God turn their backs on God, nothing can be done about it.

Not a thousand oxen slaughtered to be sacrificed. Even Jesus’ blood that flowed on the cross wasn’t spilled for these people. They had their chance.

²⁶If we give up and turn our backs on all we’ve learned, all we’ve been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment …

This isn’t light music and may you and I never stand in that line at the gates to heaven!

I’ve spoken about my Facebook friends before. They were part of the church; one was even a minister. Somewhere along the way the wheels of their faith came off. They no longer believe.

But instead of walking away and moving in a different direction, they stand on the sidelines and criticize and laugh at the church behind their hands. What a pity. Sometimes I get tears in my eyes and can’t believe that people can say and do what they say and do.

I can hear some people ask why I don’t unfriend them? Because I hope wholeheartedly that one day they will hear or see one of my entries and that it would make them think again. Maybe they will have a moment of comprehension and decide to love their first Truth again.

But, people say, the verse does say that there is no sacrifice that will give them entry into heaven. This is where my naive, childlike faith kicks in – I believe that that when someone will kneel before God, His love is big enough and more than enough to forgive that sinner too.

That’s why I will continue to live as an example of Jesus’ love. I always try to look past their actions and to see the possibly insecure person hiding in the corner. I always wonder if they sometimes say as they lie alone on their beds: “What if there really is a God …”.

This thought drives me to try even harder, because I may be the only ray of light that shines God’s light in that person’s dark life. We must never stop being God’s hands and feet. We must never stop shining God’s light in the dark world.

What a terrible knowledge for any being on earth to know what God’s judgement will be like: ²⁷… and a mighty fierce judgment it will be!

How bad this is! May you and I, our families, friends and all the people we’ve met never have to face that judgement.

Scripture
Hebrews 10:26-31

Reflection
Do you know people who have turned their backs on God?
What can you do to show God to them?
Who can you ask to help you?

Prayer
Our father, my heart aches for the people who’ve turned their backs on You. May my example persuade them to change their minds. May my actions show your love. Maybe, just maybe their minds can turn back to You … Amen.