“Pop” Brown lived in the southern part of the United States. The unusual thing about him is that he spent most of his life behind the bars of jails and prisons—over seventy years. In fact, Pop Brown called such places “home.” Escape or release from one merely opened the way for being put into another. Again and again the story was repeated until a lifetime was gone. The opportunities and joys of freedom were lost forever. He was always confined.
You say, Nothing could be worse!
But wait a minute—did you ever think about the confinement of HELL?
NOTHING COULD BE WORSE! In the Bible this place is called the “lake of fire.” A lake speaks of confinement, and fire is a picture of judgment. It is the end of the road for everyone who leaves this world without the salvation of God. You and I have sinned. Hell is what we deserve. “For all have sinned,” and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23 and 6:23).
Here’s good news: Jesus Christ died on the cross to save us from the confinement and judgment of hell. He suffered for our sins. With His own blood, He paid the full price for our salvation. “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; . . . He was buried . . . He rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
By receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, you get freedom now:
FREEDOM FROM SIN—“Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Romans 6:18).
FREEDOM FROM JUDGMENT—“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who . . . hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2).
PERSONAL FREEDOM—“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).