The Habits of Sin Do Not Vanish at the Other Side of the Granite Door

Hebrews 9:27-28

Before we look at the third assumption which makes us uncomfortable with the reality of Hell, we need to say a little more about the false hope of a second chance after death. Jesus addressed this matter in Luke 16:19-31. We will have a little more to say about this account in a future article. My interest here is what Jesus says about the attitude of a man awaiting the carrying out of the final sentence.

The circumstances are clear.

1. The man was in torment.
2. The mercy he cried for was motivated by pain not repentance.
3. He did not ask to be brought over to the other side. Rather, he wanted the former beggar, Lazarus, to be sent to ease his agony.

Having been a man of wealth and position and power, it would seem his heart for the privilege of being served had not changed. Unless one has a new nature in Christ, the habits of sin do not vanish on the other side of the granite door. 

Failing to get someone from the servant class to meet his needs, he wanted him to be sent to warn his brothers. But warn them of what? Abraham saw the man's dedication to the false assumption that existential experience is the foundation of right choices. 

• Abraham:  They have Moses and the Prophets, let them hear them.
• Man in torment:  No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.
• Abraham:  If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.

The purpose of the Law is to expose sin and underscore the need for repentance, mercy and change. Repentance based on miracle rather than truth is shallow at best. Such is our dedication to sin that even someone coming back from the dead would not move us. That takes a new birth generated by God’s Holy Spirit.

Have you experienced that new birth?

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