Charles was a young Christian in high school. He always brought his New Testament to school and often told friends and classmates about the Lord Jesus Christ who came into this world to save sinners. He was sometimes ridiculed and called "holy Chuck."

One afternoon in shop class as the students were working on their projects, one boy yelled out, "Hey, holy Chuck, let me have your Bible and I'll preach a real nice sermon!" The others laughed, but Charles calmly handed the boy his New Testament and said, "Okay. Why don't you read to us from the Gospel of Luke in chapter 16 and start with verse 19."

And so the boy found the place with a bit of difficulty, and started reading the story of the rich man and Lazarus. He became quite solemn when he got to verse 23:

"And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence."

After he finished the chapter you could have heard a pin drop. Something that had seemed so funny was no longer funny. The truth of God's own Word could not be laughed at.

We don't know if that boy or if any of the others took to heart what had been read. But we would like to ask you if you have taken to heart that there truly is a heaven and a hell? It means you have to make a decision. Where are you going after you die? The Bible says, "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). You will spend eternity in one of two places -- either heaven or hell. You must decide if you want it to be heaven. If you do nothing, your decision is already made. Will you spend eternity with the Lord Jesus who loves you, in a wonderful place where all is light and love and everlasting happiness, and live in the Father's house as one of His own children? Then believe what God says, admit that you are a sinner before Him, and trust Jesus to save you from your sins by believing that His death on Calvary's cross was for you. If you do not come to God this way, then your eternity will be spent in the lake of fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. The Bible warns of the terror and unhappiness of hell: "There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 13:50).

Oh, stop and think that eternity is forever! Will you decide right now for everlasting life in heaven with a Saviour who loves you? "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life" (Deuteronomy 30:19).

Copied with permission from Messages of God's Love published by Bible Truth Publishers, Addison, IL  60101.

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