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Hell = Increased motivation

So if you read my post on Friday you might get that I've been reading a little bit more than usual about hell and it's been one of the best things for me recently.  I'm not into Fire, Hell, and Brimestone teaching or 'scare tactic' type of teaching but I am 100% Realist!  I've peg the meter on being a "realist" and had little to no points on the "idealist" meter. I've really been leaning in to: 1 Thessalonians 1:8-9 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power" Matt 5: 29 "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." I also have been studying the "Rich Man and Lazarus" Luke 16:19 I realize that not everyone really lives their faith with Hell in mind, but I do.  Not in the since of fear of going to hell, but with a sense that we're walking past people daily in our lives who might end up there if no one shows them Jesus.  THE Christ, not some manufactured version of Jesus.  He doesn't need us to manufacture who he is, He is THAT compelling all by himself, we just have to show HIM to people without getting in the way. (Sometimes we do a good job of showing Jesus to people but our lifestyle gets in the way of what we've shown them, so it's essentially voided out.) I'm not talking about showing them Flannel-graph Jesus either!  I'm talking about presenting the Gospel with such excellence, humility, and sincerity that gives them an opportunity to lock eyes with the risen Christ and make a decision for themselves!  So lately I've been trying to live in light of those things. Here's what that's done for me:

• Increases my motivation to share the Gospel.
• Gives me confidence in my eternity in Heaven.
• Increased motivation to share my journey with those who need to hear it.
• Humbled me
• Made me pray more for the people I love who are far from Christ.  (Family, students, friends, neighbors)