# Onze verantwoordelijkheid jegens Jezus

C
  It is true that a Christian is free from fear for heavenly punishment, but we certainly should not just do what we want. Jesus can only die in our place if we accept Him to do so, and if we accept it we also accept to take on His life, just as He takes on ours. And Jesus lived to show the loving respect that every man should have for God. So if we sincerely accept Jesus' offer — and since God can read our hearts, it is impossible to be a hypocrite here — we also sincerely accept to live the perfect loving life.
M
  But you cannot live a perfect life, can you?
C
  No, we cannot, because we still have our same sinful bodies. But instead of a law that scares into being good by threatening with punishment, we now are under a law of love that draws us to do good out of love and gratitude — without any fear for punishment. And don't you agree that, whereas doing good out of fear for punishment could not honour God, doing good out of love for God will do so?
M
  Yes, doing good out of love is definitely an honourable thing. If my son prepares a meal out of love for me, he honours me, but if he does it only because I will beat him if he doesn't, he will in fact be a shame to me.
C
  On the other hand, someone who does not accept Jesus Christ's offer is still under a law that no-one can hold, and that exacts an eternal punishment, and apart from that he has rejected God's offer. So that makes it fairly sure that he will end up in hell, doesn't it?
M
  Yes, it seems to do, but for God's mercy.
C
  But for God's mercy? But as we have seen Jesus' offer is God's mercy, so he just rejected God's mercy. What can be the verdict for a person who rejects God's mercy?
M
  Someone who rejects God's mercy must needs spend eternity in hell.
C
  So we see there are only two options: he who sincerely accepts Jesus' offer to suffer his punishment in his stead can be sure of eternal life in heaven, and he who rejects Jesus' offer will be separated from God for eternity in hell. Which do you choose?
M
  I must think a bit more about this.
C
  By all means do so, but don't forget that death may find you tonight or tomorrow, and if you haven't accepted God's mercy before your death, what can you appeal to after death?