Suppose you had a very serious illness, and you went to the doctor and asked him to treat it. Then suppose he gave you a prescription that would cure your illness–but you refused to take it. Who would be to blame if you failed to get better–the doctor, or you? I think you know the answer.

In the same way, the whole human race has a very serious spiritual “illness.” It is a disease of our souls that the Bible calls sin. It is so serious, in fact, that it has put us on the road to eternal separation from God–which is what the Bible calls hell.

But listen: God loves us–and because He loves us, He has provided the remedy for our spiritual disease. The remedy is Jesus Christ, who took the punishment we deserve when He died on the cross for us. This is why the Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Yes–salvation is a free gift!

But what if we refuse it? What if we fail to accept the remedy God has provided? Who, then, is to blame if we continue on the road away from God? The answer is clear: We are. In other words, God doesn’t send us to hell; we send ourselves. Don’t gamble with your soul, but by faith accept Christ so you can know–beyond doubt–that you will go to be with Him in heaven forever.