Why Micheal Jackson Went To Hell

The last few days I have seen a number of comments made about MJ on various blogs and message boards. Many are ripping into him because he was a "child molester," a "freak," and any number of other things. Several are saying he deserves to be in hell because of what he did.

Of course, he was never convicted on child molestation charges. As for being a "freak," well, "freakiness" is in the eye of the beholder. But what about those who charge that he should be in hell for what he (allegedly) did?

I do believe in a literal hell. I also believe many (probably most) people are there (and going there). Jesus warned, "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many." But if Micheal Jackson is in hell (and I do mean "if"), it is not because he was a "child molester" or a "freak."

Hell is the eternal destiny of anyone who does not measure up to God's perfect standard of holiness. Uh-oh. That's a a problem. That's a problem because no one is able to do that! Under those circumstances, even the best of the best of us wouldn't make it because "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

But God, in his grace and mercy, provided a way that we could have our sins forgiven, be declared righteous, and avoid the sufferings of hell. That was done through his Son, Jesus Christ, who died to take the penalty for our sin and rose again so that God's righteousness could be credited to our account.

In order to appropriate this work of Christ, however, one must exercise saving faith. That means we confess our need of a savior, repent, and embrace Christ and His gift of everlasting life. Everyone who does that will be saved. Anyone who does not do this cannot be saved.

The bottom line is IF Micheal Jackson is in hell today, it's not because he was a child molester or freak. If he is in hell today he is there for the same reason millions of others are- he failed to accept the gift of eternal life, by faith, offered through Jesus Christ.

Ultimately people don't go to hell for what they do, but for what they don't do. When they don't embrace Christ as Savior, they perish.

As for Micheal Jackson, based upon the life he lived, one would question whether or not he had a vital, personal relationship with Christ. We will know it by fruit. We are told to be fruit inspectors. And even then, Jesus warned "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"

Ultimately it was between Micheal and the Lord, and in the last moments of life we never know what happens in a person's heart and mind. That's why I have to say "if." For Micheal's sake I hope he was made right through faith.

The purpose of this post, ultimately, is to get us all to think about what really effects our eternal destiny. It is what we do? Is it what we don't do? Neither one... It is a matter of God's grace at work in us to lead us to call upon him with the assurance that "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." And, "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Empty the Canister

I frequently do the vacuuming around the house. I actually enjoy it! There is a sense of accomplishment when you can look at the family room floor and see it is all cleaned up!

We have a canister style vacuum cleaner that has to be emptied often. If you don't empty the canister (or change the bag on the other models) what happens? You lose suction! Sometimes I'll be vacuuming and notice it isn't picking up so well... I'll look and, sure enough, the canister is full... Once it is empty the vacuum returns to full power!

It is the same way in the Christian life. As we walk through life we pick up a lot of trash that starts to fill the canister in our hearts and minds. The more dirt that goes in the less power we have. We have to keep the canister clean if we want to have fill power.

1 John 1:9 promises us that is we confess our sin (empty our canister) God forgives us and cleanses us... This restores us to full spiritual power. How full is your canister today? If you sense you don't have "full power" in Christ, maybe its time to take a trip to the dumpster and empty the canister!

Prayer Lessons from a "Dog"

I must confess that one obstacle I've often wrestled with when it came to prayer is my theology. I know that God is "all-knowing" and "unchanging." If so, why pray?

The cliche answers, of course are, "We pray because God tells us to" and "Prayer changes us," but that is not always enough to drive us to truly labor in prayer.

I'm learning, however, that in some way prayer DOES have an impact on God. This is most obvious in Abraham's intercession for Sodom, and Moses' intercession for Israel. I also see it in Matthew 15:21-28.

In the story, Jesus and his disciples are spending time in "gentile territory." A Canaanite woman comes to Jesus and asks for help with her demon possessed daughter. Jesus seems to just ignore her. The disciples get tired of her and say to Jesus, "Just give her what she wants so she will leave us alone" Jesus says "no" because he is here to minister to Israel.

When she persists he says, "I can't take the children's bread and feed it to dogs." In other words, "I need to spend my energy on ministering to Israel - God's people - not you."

Wow. What an insult! And coming from Jesus! How would you respond?

The woman says, "even the dogs get to eat the crumbs that fall from the table."

Jesus responds with amazement at her great faith, praises her for it, and heals her daughter.

The lessons for me: I see three characteristics in the woman: 1) Boldness - she came to Jesus for help knowing full well that Jews and Gentiles have no dealings with each other. 2) Persistence - when Jesus ignores her she implores him all the more, and worships him. 3) Humility - after Jesus basically called her a "dog" (which was the common way Jews referred to Gentiles then), she admitted she wasn't worthy, but a just a few crumbs would satisfy.

As it all unfolds I see that the woman's boldness, persistence, and humility moved Jesus to respond. There is a delicate balance there, and it something I need to strive for in my prayers.