Written by: Gawie de Lange
Article source: JOY! Magazine

My heart has been heavy for the past few days – so heavy that I’ve found myself on the brink of tears. On Saturday, my family and I met new friends, including Charles, a straightforward, no-frills farmer whose story left a permanent mark on my heart.

Charles’ second chance
Charles shared his journey, a testament to the power of prayer and God’s saving grace. During the height of the COVID pandemic, Charles died – not once, but three times. Yet, through the unrelenting prayers of his wife and a dedicated intercessory prayer team outside his hospital window, God brought him back to life.

Hell is real!
While his physical recovery is nothing short of miraculous, it was what Charles shared afterwards that has continued to weigh heavily on me. Looking me squarely in the eyes, he said, “Gawie, I died and was taken to hell by demons. Hell is a terrible place. I felt the utter loneliness and separation from God, and I knew that if I got a second chance, I had to come back and warn people – hell is real.”

A chasm between Charles and God
Charles’ words shattered me. This is a man who embodies simplicity and honesty – a farmer, not given to exaggeration or theatrics. He went on to admit that, though he had called himself a Christian, his life had been far from God. He realised, to his horror, that sin had created a gap (chasm) between him and his Creator. He confessed that, if not for God’s grace, he would still be in that place of torment, forever separated from His presence.

Sin separates us from God
This revelation is both sobering and convicting. How many of us, like Charles, live under the illusion that we can proclaim faith while continuing in sin? We live in a world where the reality of hell is too often downplayed, or in some churches and circles, even erased. He realised this painful truth: many of us, like him, think we can live in sin and still inherit heaven. But the reality is that sin separates us from God.

A call to action
I share this story today with urgency in my heart. The enemy has worked tirelessly to blur the lines of truth, convincing many that hell is nothing more than a myth – a relic of ancient superstition. But Charles’ testimony is a wake-up call, a piercing reminder of the stakes at hand.

HERE ARE THREE POINTS TO PONDER:

1. Hell is real
No matter how much the world – or even some churches – tries to dismiss or minimise its existence, hell is not a myth. It is a place of eternal separation from God, and it is as real as heaven. “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels’” (Matt 25:41). “The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom” (Luke 16:22-23).

2. Examine your heart
Take a moment to search your heart. Be brutally honest with yourself: do you have a true relationship with our Saviour, or are you simply going through the motions of faith? Cultural Christianity will not save you. “These people draw near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt 15:8-9). “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matt 7:21).

3. Stop flirting with sin
Now is the time to break free from the sin that entangles us. Half-hearted devotion is not enough. Jesus, the Saviour of the world, gave His life for us. Let’s honour that sacrifice by living wholly for Him. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” (Heb 12:1). “Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him” (1 John 3:6).

The Saviour is waiting!
If you’re reading this and realise you don’t truly know Him, don’t wait. Reach out. I care about you deeply and would be honoured to pray with you. Let this be the moment of change. Don’t wait until it’s too late. The Saviour who loves you is waiting with open arms.

DO YOU FEEL DISTANT FROM GOD?
Pray the life-changing salvation prayer below. Today is the perfect day to surrender your heart to Jesus and experience His love and grace. Don’t delay – your eternity is at stake!

Salvation Prayer
Jesus, I believe that You died on the Cross for me. There You were wounded for my transgressions, You were bruised for my iniquities; and the punishment for my peace was upon You. I have been like a lost sheep, I have turned to my own way, but I believe that God laid my iniquity upon You. You died for me. Then You rose from the dead, You ascended into Heaven, and are now seated on Your throne as Lord of all. Jesus, forgive me. I now turn away from my sin and put my trust in You. Fill me with Your Spirit, cleanse me, and take me as Your own.
Amen

This article is featured in the January issue of JOY! Magazine, which is now on sale nationwide! Pick up your copy from any leading supermarket, or read a digital version of this issue here: https://joygifts.co.za/product/joy-magazine-january-issue-2025/

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Date published: 19/01/2025
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only. Artwork adapted from www.freepik.com

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