If we repent of our sins and give our lives to Jesus, we will receive glory, honor, peace (Rm 2:10), and eternal life (Rm 2:7). If, however, our hearts are hard and impenitent (Rm 2:5), if we "selfishly disobey the truth and obey wickedness" (Rm 2:8), we will receive "wrath and fury" (Rm 2:8), "affliction and anguish" (Rm 2:9). With flaming power, the Lord "will inflict punishment on those who do not acknowledge God nor heed the good news of our Lord Jesus. Such as these will suffer the penalty of eternal ruin apart from the presence of the Lord" (2 Thes 1:8-9). "Those who have done right shall rise to live; the evildoers shall rise to be damned" (Jn 5:29). "The angels will hurl them into the fiery furnace where they will wail and grind their teeth. Then the saints will shine like the sun in their Father's kingdom. Let everyone heed what he hears!" (Mt 13:42-43)

God's love is so great it is terrifying (see Heb 10:31). God's love presents us with an awesome, ultimately irreversible decision with everlasting consequences. Repent and decide to live for Jesus.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, March 22, 1997

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 26, 1997