For all eternity, the message that John the Baptist received from Heaven to give to Herod, telling him that it was not lawful for him to have Herodias, his brother's wife, will echo in the king's soul. If he had obeyed that message, he could have been saved, and then a complete change would have occurred in his behavior. In the same way, the person who hears God's message but does not obey Him will cry out in anguish for having despised Him.

Christians who evangelize family and friends do not know how much good they are doing. Those who resist the voice of the Lord, however, will regret for eternity that they did not surrender to Him. The lost will suffer as long as they do not listen to the Lord, who sent His Son to die on the cross for humanity. Without an encounter with Jesus, they will never see the Light. Is it worth being lost forever? No! A thousand times no. Listen to the Word and pray!

The Bible records Jesus' encounter with a rich young man who had made his fortune the reason for his life (Mark 10:17–22). He was religious and, as such, was always in the synagogue. We can imagine the people who passed by, preaching about the will of God and, at the end of the sermon, saying words that fit his life. Certainly, the young man heard the voice of the Lord speaking to his heart about what he should do, but it upset him.

Like many we know, the young man no longer enjoyed going to church because during the sermon he heard God giving him the right direction. He was no longer a regular at the synagogue. People tried to help him, but they were unsuccessful. However, someone told him about Jesus and how He healed the sick. So, he must have asked if this Man charged anything, and the answer was no. He went to the Lord, calling Him Good Teacher!

The young man must have spent some time examining Jesus' way of ministering salvation, healing, and other blessings. Enchanted by Christ, the young man asked: “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Mark 10:17b. The Savior replied: “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” v. 18. Hearing this, the young man withdrew into himself.

Jesus said: “You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” Mark 10:19. The young man rejoiced and said: “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” v. 20b. Christ loved him and said: “Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” v. 21b, but the young man went away sad. The Master saw him walking toward perdition and explained how difficult it is for some to enter the Kingdom of the Father!

Herod liked to listen to John, but he did not follow his words. The king was in love with Herodias. But that was not love; it was forbidden passion. Many do not want to say no to their hearts full of demons (Jeremiah 17:9). Unfortunately, those who act this way will not enter Glory. To enter Heaven, it is necessary to abandon sin!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares