Silas's Fatal Assumption

Actual Image of a Powerful Solar Flare Captured by NASA in 2012.



We know if we venture too close to the Sun we'll be incinerated by its raging heat.  Yet, from the proper distance, we enjoy how its warm rays make us feel on a bright spring day when invisible beams bring flowers and grass to new life.  God's holiness is like the Sun.  Hebrews 12:29 says, "God is a consuming fire."  Sinners can't get too close to God without being consumed by His holiness, yet we benefit from His gentle mercies every day (Matt 5).  He created us for an eternal relationship with Him, yet our sins separate us from Him (Isaiah 59:2).  Many make the fatal assumption that God's love and goodness will spare them on the Day of Judgment, and they therefore make no attempt to learn what they must do to be spared from the consuming fire of His purity and holiness.  Silas was making that fatal assumption, too.

I met Silas recently while he sat outside the courthouse.  He was waiting for the county correctional van to pick him up.  He had pled guilty to a misdemeanor and had been sentenced to community service, the legal penalty that had to be paid for justice to be done. 

I introduced myself and handed him a gospel tract.  I asked if he knew where he would spend eternity when he passes from this life into the next.  He said he hoped he would go to heaven someday.  They way he said it, however, betrayed a lack of confidence.

As we talked, it became clear he thought he would go to heaven simply because he went to church.  It also became clear that he did not know the gospel and did not know with certainty what his destiny would be.  Like many people I speak with, he had been making a fatal assumption that his eternal destiny was secure when in fact he actual had no clue what Jesus said to do in order to have assurance of salvation.  He hoped God would let him in simply because God is good and forgiving.  He didn't realize that God's goodness would be the very thing that would condemn Silas to an eternity in hell unless he did the two things Jesus says one must do to be declared innocent on the Day of Judgment and enter the presence of a Holy God without being consumed.

Silas didn't realize that just as he had stood before an earthly judge to enter a plea, the Bible says he will one day stand before the Judge of the Universe, Jesus Christ (Acts 17:31).  He didn't realize that just as the earthly judge had to impose upon Silas the penalty that is due for breaking the man's law, so the Judge of the Universe must impose upon him the penalty that is due for his countless violations of God's perfect moral law summarized in the 10 Commandments (2 Cor. 5:10; Heb. 9:27). 

When I asked Silas whether he had broken God's moral law, he honestly admitted he had lied in violation of the 9th Commandment more times than he could count.  He had violated the 8th Commandment by taking things that didn't belong to him.  He had violated the 7th Command by lusting after women.  And he admitted that he was a murderer at heart because he had harbored hatred against others in violation of the 6th Commandment (Matt. 5).  When I asked Silas whether he would be found innocent or guilty on the day of judgment, he honestly admitted he would be found guilty.  He also understand that if God declared him guilty, then God would also have to impose upon Silas the penalty that is due under God's law--eternity in hell, the second death (Rom. 6:23).  Silas learned that because God is good, he must ensure that justice is done.

I explained to Silas that God poured out his justice and wrath on Jesus on the Cross to fulfill His just and righteous nature, not letting sin go unpunished (2 Cor. 5:21).  I asked Silas if he believed Jesus died in his place for his sins so he wouldn't have to.  Silas said he did.  I asked Silas if he believed that Jesus rose from the dead, since he had been without sin and didn't deserve the penalty for sin.  And he said he did.

I then asked Silas if he knew what Jesus said to do to get the benefit of what Jesus had done on the cross.  And he said he didn't know.  I explained to Silas that Jesus said he must (1) repent and (2) believe in the gospel--the good news of Jesus' substitutionary death and resurrection (Mark 1:15).  I asked Silas if he had repented of sins (turned from them and confessed them) and whether he had placed his full faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone as his personal savior from his sins.  He said he hadn't done that yet.  I urged Silas to do that before it's too late, because he never knows when his last day will be.

My encounter with Silas is, unfortunately, quite a common experience.  Many people who mistakenly assume God's loving, good nature will ensure they will be spared on the Day of Judgment regardless of what they believe or how they live.  But the opposite is true.  Because God is good, He must ensure justice is done.  Either we will pay for our own sins, or we will repent and trust in the One who paid for our sins on our behalf. 

This is such a serious issue that the Apostle Peter--writing to professing Christian believers--urged his readers to "be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure" (2 Pet. 1:10).  He didn't want them to make the fatal assumption they were saved when in fact they may not be.  What about you?  Have you made your calling and election sure by repenting and trusting in Jesus alone for your salvation?  Are you following Jesus today?

Similarly, the Apostle Paul, also writing to professing Christian believers, urged them as follows: "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves" (2 Cor. 13:5).  What about you?  Are you making the mistake Silas was making?  Don't!  The good news is that you can know with certainty what your destiny will be, not because you deserve heaven, but because Jesus has finished the work that is necessary to earn it (1 John 5:11-13).  Don't delay.  Repent and trust Christ today!