Posted: 08/17/06

Elvis is Alive! No, really!

-by Patrick J. Burwell, OnlyJesusSaves.com

…Elvis the security guard, that is.

When Elvis introduced himself we both laughed, as he enjoyed the notoriety Americans give to his name. Finding out he is a sinner, however, was not so funny to him.

Elvis claimed to be a Christian, but didn't know he wasn't a good person, until he saw his guilt in the mirror of the Ten Commandments. When he evaluated himself, he saw the Ten Commandments showed him to be a liar, a thief, and an adulterer at heart. When we talked about the day he had repented of his sins he acknowledged he had not been living in an increasing holiness since then. He saw the "fruit" of his life came from the wrong kind of "tree." He said he would be headed for Hell if he died today. Yet he didn't batt an eye, he was non-chalant.

Elvis admitted being unconcerned about whether people he met have repented and put their faith in Jesus. He thought Hell was too harsh. But, Elvis did recognize he had not cared much about anyone but himself and that showed something was seriously wrong.
 
John Piper thinks there is such a thing as a Christian Hedonist. So, apparently, do many others professing they can live practicing sin and yet be still be Christians. I have even heard a missionary in the Hispanic Third World has said some only get saved "from the waist up."

No. There is no such thing as a Carnal Christian.
 

So, taking a deep breath, I explained how the Eternal Lake of Fire is the just reward for any liar, any thief, any adulterer, because all sin is against an eternal and Holy God:

"We can know the seriousness of the crime by the extent of the punishment."

Todd Friel said that. But what did he mean?
If you lie to me it's no big deal, but you lie to a Police Officer you can get a fine, maybe even a summons. If you lie to a Judge you can go to jail and if you lie to Congress you may be considered a traitor. But all sin is against God, and so the punishment for every violation of the Law is Hell and the Lake of Fire forever.

Elvis got the message. Do you?

Did I see him fall to his knees begging for God's mercy? Did he sing "Reach out to Jesus" and repent? No. But, as I explained why his opinion of the justice of Hell didn't have any bearing on whether he is going there, his ears perked up and his eyes widened.

"If Jesus is right, you will be judged, regardless if you agree with the Judge and His Laws or not."

Go to Iran and break Sharia law and see if your opinion matters as your head separates from your shoulders (You can thank Todd for that example).

So, professing Christian, do you have an "Elvis" living nearby? Is he singing a few bars and faking it too? How would you know? And do you care enough to risk hearing him cry "Don't be cruel" to tell him the truth?

Every day 150,000 souls enter eternity. "We don't know who is going and who is not." you might say. Well, if they don't judge themselves guilty, agreeing with God now, and repent, trusting in Jesus to save them, then they will not know until they get there. But by then their fate will be sealed. By the time you face a judge for a crime it is too late for you to repent. We don't know if Elvis Presley is going to be singing in Heaven. But the fruit on his tree certainly wasn't of the palatable type. You can't hum "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" and expect to be accepted. No amount of Gospel hymns is enough to be acquitted by God Almighty. Only the blood of His Son Jesus, shed on the Cross for you, will be the payment accepted. You must be known by Jesus to enter in.

So, How about you? Do you think singing "Amazing Grace" will placate your righteous and holy Creator of His anger over your lying, your stealing, your lust?

God is not mocked, and He will hold you accountable to Him for your every thought, every word, every action you have had.

I left Elvis in the building with him understanding who he is to God. Judge yourself here now, while you still can.

Your opinion doesn't matter, because Jesus is right:

Repent or perish.

And if you are a Christian and want to know how to share your faith the way Jesus did, then go here and learn the Way of the Master.

Patrick Burwell
OnlyJesusSaves.com

By Patrick Burwell Click here for bio and archived articles