The Taboo Word

There is a particular word in the Bible that is seldom heard in church although it is widely used in private and public conversations.  We hear it almost every day.  Some use it for emphasis or exclamation such as “What the h---?” or “h--- no!” or “h--- yes!” Sometimes it appears to be a measurement, such as a “h--- of a lot.”  In sports it is used as a compliment: “He is a h--- of a player.”  The word has become so common that we all recognize it, and so taboo that we don’t talk about it.

 When we come to church, the word is missing.  We rarely, if ever, refer to it.  We avoid it in our pulpits and Bible studies. But, when we read the New Testament, there it is.  Jesus used it and warned about it. The Apostles Paul and Peter spoke of it and John described it in Revelation.

Jesus said, “"But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.” (Matthew 5:21-22).

In another passage, Jesus described a rich man who lived his life in luxury ignoring the plight of a poor beggar at his door named Lazarus.  Jesus said, “The rich man died and was buried.  In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire,'” (Luke 16:19-31).

In another place Jesus said, “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! “ (Luke 12:4-6).

Like most people, I would like to think that everyone goes to heaven, except when I hear stories about atrocities, like the accounts of innocent children who are brutalized, raped and murdered.  Then, hell seems to make sense.  I remember watching the movie, “Ghost” when the murderer was dragged off by the demons into hell.  It was chilling.

 According to what Jesus said, we all have reason to pause.  Perhaps what we believe and how we behave has eternal implications that we have not fully considered.

 If the afterlife consists not only of heaven, but also hell, the sacrifice Jesus made on the Cross becomes even more meaningful.  We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s requirements. We all need the Savior who paid the penalty for our sins and was raised from the dead to give us a new life. (Romans 3:23; 5:8; 10:9-10; 6:4-5).

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