In his kingdom, Jesus Christ requires surrender, an allegiance. However, he does not demand it. Your loyalty is paid for by his very blood. You are bought by his sacrifice. By this, your very salvation, your actions and deeds will declare whom you serve.
In his kingdom, Satan bargains for your surrender. He whispers wants in your ear, convincing you of what you deserve. Your loyalty is paid for by your own blood. You are bought by a lie. By this, the loss of your very salvation, your absence from Christ the King, an absence you chose, your actions and deeds will declare whom you serve.
Jesus created all, the very fabric of existence and his Kingdom Come. Satan rules as a Tenant King, on borrowed time, in an world not meant for him. As you choose whom you will serve, and we all make this choice whether we are conscious of it or not, your behavior, your condition, your deeds will declare this choice.
When Christ gets his due glory, we get joy. But such is the deception of Satan, that when we have chosen his kingdom, we may not acknowledge him all. When we serve in The Deceiver's kingdom, it is not him who we place upon the throne. It is ourselves.
"Hell...that fierce imprisonment of the self." C.S. Lewis
Friends, Jesus Christ is offering us a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. There is no offer that is more inclusive. It is available to all, ALL. Yet we choke on the exclusive aspects of declaring that Jesus is King. But an unshakable kingdom must be ruled by an all powerful King. To suggest anything else is to put ourselves upon his throne. Our eternal punishment for choosing ourselves is that we get our way. Hell is the absence of God for the glorification of ourselves at the cost of ourselves.
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