So many people who are getting by just fine without Him. For believers, the Lord helps keeps us from sin - although every single one of us has sinned. What they're forgetting is that whether they believe or not, there will come a day when each of us will stand before God's throne of judgement.
In the gospel of Matthew (and in sync with Mark, Luke & John), Jesus teaches that evil people - specifically greedy, selfish, uncompassionate people who don't help people, will be told "Go away from Me, accursed ones, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his messengers." This is Matthew 25:41 and also in verse 46: “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life.”
Recently, I have heard some people teaching that hell is not actually eternal, but that we've misunderstood. They claim that Jesus was referring to a permanent death - not eternal punishment that never ends. It could be true but it could also be wishful thinking or it could be another lie straight from the enemy who would want us to believe that we just die and there is no eternal damnation. The enemy doesn't care what we believe - as long as we don't know how to access salvation and favor from God - a privelege he lost.
How convenient for the serial killers and those who have caused so much misery to others during this life. Where is the justice in that? Our God uses scales and he keeps those scales balanced. He gives no preferential treatment. He has no favorites.
In my mind, peoples' souls live forever. Being born in this world, we are sinners from the start. But through the Scriptures, along with the trials of life, we have opportunities to be cleansed and purified and taught how to live in peace and harmony with love and brotherhood for all of eternity.
The earth will be destroyed eventually and life as we know it will cease to exist on this planet. Since our souls remain, we sinners are doomed to suffer with the devil and his messengers in "the everlasting fire", but that is not what our Creator wants for us. He truly loves us - his creation, children. He wants every one of us to escape the consequences of the sin of this world and that is why we need Jesus Christ, our Messiah and Salvation. He holds our ticket out of here. He is our attorney working pro bono (no charge). Remember, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. When we face the throne of judgement, Jesus will proclaim that you've made a sort of plea bargain. You admitted you were a sinner and you asked for forgiveness. He will say you have accepted His gift of salvation and you have been redeemed. He is our one defense. He is our righteousness. And we sure do need Him.
I couldn't find this video on Chris Tomlin's YouTube or Vevo channel, but here is one with lyrics. I hope you are blessed by it.
Title: Lord I Need You
Chris Tomlin
Lord I come, I confess Bowing here I find my rest Without You I fall apart You're the one that guides my heart
Lord, I need You, oh I need You Every hour I need You My one defense, my righteousness Oh God, how I need You
Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more Where grace is found is where
And where You are Lord I am free Holiness is Christ in me Yes where You are Lord I am free Holiness is Christ in me
So teach my song to rise to You When temptation comes my way And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You Jesus You're my hope and stay And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You Jesus You're my hope and stay