As Close to Hell as You'll Ever Have to Get - A Thanksgiving Message

In the past few years, God has been teaching me thankfulness more than any other virtue. Lately every time I read the New Testament the issue of thankfulness leaps off the pages at me. The Apostle Paul was especially focused on the theme throughout his writings. Often his letters were written to Christians suffering intense persecution under Caesar Nero's iron-fisted rule. Even in the worst of times, Paul encouraged a heart of thanksgiving.

One notable example is in Romans 8, where Paul says to persecuted believers in Rome, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (verse 18). Throughout this passage, while Paul does not use the word "thankful", the attitude shines through like a beacon on the darkest night of a person's soul.

Paul then goes on to remind the believers of how God had cared for all the Old Testament saints gone before them. "For those God foreknew (literally "knew in ages past") he also predestined (literally "marked out boundaries around") to be conformed to the likeness of his son..." Paul is encouraging these Christians with the reality that because of God's faithfulness to mark boundaries around the lives of those with whom He had relationship in times past (i.e. Abraham, Moses, David, Esther, etc.), He will also be faithful to surround the Roman Christian audience to whom he was writing. That many theologians read into these verses their pre-conceived idea that Paul is talking about salvation and God's "choosing" some people to go to Heaven while passing over others (i.e. Calvinism) is a grandiose bummer. It totally misses Paul's point! (NOTE: Please understand that I am not attempting to discredit Calvinism here - but only suggesting that this is not nearly as strong a passage in support of it as most suggest).

He continues by assuring these believers that they are "more than conquerors" and that "no one can bring a charge against those whom God has chosen." He crescendos with the startling proclamation that "neither death nor life...nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." In essence, Paul is saying "what's the WORST that can happen to you? Nero lops your head off? As a follower of Jesus, the worst thing that can possibly happen to you in this life is as close to hell as you will ever have to get!"

I am greatly encouraged by this. While I am deeply thankful that I am not facing the guillotine or the lions as many early Christians did, I AM comforted by the reality that no matter what difficulties I experience in this life, they are as close to hell as I will ever come. There is a future that awaits me beyond the grave for which Christ died in my place to secure my future in it. This life isn't perfect and never will be. Even on a day as wonderful as thanksgiving, there are disappointments and difficulties to face. But our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For that we can be extremely thankful. I hope and pray that you are. Any thoughts you'd like to add? Chime in and God bless you....