…they are not so anxious to be saved from the hell that is within.
Are you content to be saved from the hell that is without; but not so anxious to be saved from the hell that is within?
This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net.
Before I became a Christian, I didn’t understand what it meant to be saved from hell. I knew I needed forgiveness but, I thought I had sinned too much to be forgiven by God. I had a lot of shame. But, once I understood the message of the cross I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior.
Jesus came so that we could be saved from the hell that is without; and from the hell that is within. He can and does deliver us from inner torment and give us His peace instead. Some people experience immediate deliverance but, for me healing has come in layers almost like peeling an onion. Sometimes I have been reluctant to let go of the pain, but He patiently keeps working in me until I surrender it to Him.
Christians are content to be saved from the literal place of hell, but they may be less willing to be saved from the hell within.
Jesus spoke about the eternal state of the unsaved in Matthew 13:42 that says, “They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (NIV)
Hell is a real place just as heaven is and though our sins have caused us to fall short of God’s holy standard (Romans 3:23); all true Christians are saved from going to hell, because we believe that Jesus has taken the punishment we deserve (Romans 3:25).
Christians understand and agree with God that without Jesus we face an eternity in hell separated from God and all of His goodness. We have admitted that we need His forgiveness and have received God’s free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23).
Thankfully God loved us so much that He gave Jesus for us as John 3:16-17 says,
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (NIV)
But, are we as anxious to be saved from the hell within?
Christians want to be saved from hell, but what about the hell within or the inner torment that we sometimes experience?
Jesus died so that we can also be saved from the hell within.
Maybe you struggle with bitterness, resentment, anger, worrying or other pain. These issues can keep us from receiving God’s peace. But, because we are loved and forgiven by God, we can confess our bitterness and forgive others. We can lay down our grudges at the foot of the cross.
We can pray for those who have hurt us and ask God to fill us with His love for them. We can confess our pain to Him and receive His wonderful peace.
Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (ESV)
Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” (NLT)
Maybe you want to be saved from habitual sins that seem so difficult to stop. We can be saved from giving into temptation as well.
But remember this—the wrong desires that come into your life aren’t anything new and different. Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you. And no temptation is irresistible. You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says. He will show you how to escape temptation’s power so that you can bear up patiently against it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 TLB)
God always provides a way of escape.
Or maybe the hell within that you’re suffering with is the pain of a broken heart or spirit.
Psalm 34:18 says, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” (NLT)
We can turn to Jesus to be saved from discouragement and hopelessness. We can come to Him to be saved from the hell that is without and the hell that is within.
What do you need to be saved from today?
Have you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Please click here if you would like to do so now.
Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.
Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!
“Most of God’s people are contented to be saved from the hell that is without; they are not so anxious to be saved from the hell that is within.” –Robert Murray M’Cheyne | CLICK TO TWEET
For more FREE Inspirational Quote Cards you can use and share click HERE
Additional resources about related subjects on this site:
NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth