Has anyone ever said something that touched you so profoundly that it literally changed your life? I can think of numerous statements that have forever molded my own life. While some were good and had a positive impact, others were harmful and have left deep wounds; which have taken years to overcome.

My Pastor began his sermon with words that he meant to change my life, “For better or for worse depends on what you do with what you are about to hear because what I am about to tell you is dangerous!” He proceeded to talk about Jesus, the one and only Son of God, who came to earth with the soul purpose of dying on a cross, not only for the sins of the world, but MY sin. When you personalize that message and get real with yourself – acknowledging that you are a hopeless sinner in need of a savior – this simple, yet profound, message should literally rock your world.

Why?

I think Jesus says it best in Luke 10:23-24,

²³ Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. ²⁴ For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.'”

Do you see the danger in these words? The disciples see Jesus and know him as the Son of God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords and THE one and only Savior of the World. It was as true in Jesus’ day as it is today that the people he was referring to were so preoccupied with their own lives that they were oblivious to the danger that hangs in the balance; eternal life with Jesus or eternal condemnation without him.

The older I get the more I grieve at the obvious denial [or blatant ignorance] of how people justify their “right” to heaven. I’m especially heavy-hearted for those who go to church, keep up all religious appearances, even to the point of spewing out cliche phrases that they “think” are stated in the bible. This fits Jesus’ description that “many prophets and kings who wanted to see what true believers see, but do not see it, and what to hear what true believers hear but do not hear it.”

So how do you get your eyes to see and your ears to hear?

According to Proverbs 2:4-6, written by the wisest man to ever live, King Solomon,

“My son, if you accept my words
    and store up my commands within you,
² turning your ear to wisdom
    and applying your heart to understanding—
³ indeed, if you call out for insight
    and cry aloud for understanding,
⁴ and if you look for it as for silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasure,
⁵ then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.

If this is offensive to you, I urge you to dig deep into God’s word and discover truth for yourself. Don’t take my word for it. I’m merely human and I attribute the confusion in today’s society is that to people listening to people and not seeking the only valid source, God himself.

Don’t assume that going to church is enough or what you have been raised to believe is sufficient to earn you passage into heaven. Heaven or hell rest in your ability to hear and see, so trust me… hearing this truth and not taking responsibility for it are dangerous words that I give to you. What you do with this will ultimately hurt or help you.

I pray that we meet in heaven so I can thank you for taking these words to heart and for recognizing that what I am saying IS meant for your good. I can tell you from firsthand experience that had someone not challenge me on what I was raised to believe, I would still be deceived into thinking that I was going to heaven and now that God’s Word has revealed the truth, it is to dangerous to keep it to myself.