Hell, not at all.

Deep in our hearts, many of us Christians do not believe the damnation of Hell.

I remember watching a film on the holocaust of the Second World War.  To exterminate the Jews quickly, they were herd into the gas chamber a few hundred at a time. The door was closed, and the Jews died inside.  Death was relatively quick, perhaps in minutes or hours. Their cries of pain and anguish could not even be heard, because all the German guards left the place after the gas was turned on.

That scene could not be erased from my mind.

Jesus Christ is not like that. On the Judgement Day, He will not condemn millions and billions of people to the eternal fire of Hell.  He will not close the door of Hell and let anyone suffer eternally inside.  Our God is a God of Love, Lovingkindness and Mercy.  He may chastise and punish us for our sins, but the punishment will not be eternal Hell.

So if you were told Christians go to Heaven, and non-Christians go to Hell, think again.  It is impossible for God to use Hell to inflict eternal punishment on any of His own creation.  Jesus will forgive 70 x 7 times, or even 700 x 7 times.

That is the confidence of  knowing the character of God. The wonderous love of Jesus Christ.

Idols and Mammon

"Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves molten gods; I am the Lord your God." Lev 19:4.

"...Ye cannot serve God and mammon."  Matt 6:24.

In their preaching, many pastors asked their congregations to examine themselves. "You may not be worshipping idols, but is mammon your idol? Are you worshipping wealth and materials?  Do you care more about pursuing money, fame and power?"

"Idols" are spiritual in nature.  Most idols are benevolent and generous, otherwise few would be interested in them.  People worship idols for health and wealth, for power, for good luck, for all kinds of blessings.  Often, these idols would oblige them generously in return for their worship.

"Mammon" is not idol.  Mammon are things of the world.  They are non spiritual, hence they do not require anyone to worship them.  Mammon could be anything of worldly value - such as the pursuit of money, wealth, power, fame, beauty, wisdom, worldly success and longevity.  Mammon distract us from God. Mammon are also used by idols to separate us from God.

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind...You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matt 22:37-39.

Avoid both idols and mammon.