It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. - Hebrews 10:31
It was an
immense tragedy. More than two million pilgrims had gathered outside Mecca to take part in
an annual religious event when something caused a stampede. After the dust had settled,
nearly 200 people lay dead, trampled in the mad rush.
Imagine the irony! These worshipers were attempting to get closer to God. When they died,
however, they found out sooner than they ever imagined whether their devotion had brought
them nearer to God or not.
The real tragedy of the situation was not in the deaths themselves, as heart-wrenching as
that is. Death spares no one, though its icy grip ensnares some before others. It's not
death that is the ultimate tragedy but death without Jesus Christ. For any person who does
not know Jesus Christ as Savior, the tragedy of death is compounded by eternal separation
from God (2 Thessalonians 1:9; Hebrews 10:31).
Acts of religious devotion do not gain for us access into God's eternal presence. Entrance
to heaven is a free gift, received by faith in Christ - believing that He lived, died, and
rose from the grave to rescue us from the penalty of sin.
If you're not depending on Jesus, you'll suffer the ultimate tragedy. Don't let it happen
to you.
-JDB
Salvation is a gift of God,
Not something earned or won;
He freely gives eternal life
To all who trust His Son.
-Sper
You can have tons of religion without an ounce of salvation.