How do we avoid the everlasting torment in the fire of hell? Heat makes us thirsty. When we are thirsty, we want something to drink. Our Lord said that He will give us water to quench our thirst, “welling up to eternal life” (Jn. 4:14). What is this water that saves us from death? It is the Holy Spirit. The Spirit comes and empowers us to live to gain life in heaven.
But that is only half of the story. This first half is the work of God to save us. The other half is our own desire and effort to work with the Spirit. Water is sweeter with ice. The Spirit helps us to pray and grow in intimacy with God. He helps us to recognise our sins and be moved to conversion (Lk. 13:3). He gives us grace to evangelise our world.
So how do we avoid the fire of hell? Salvation is a gift granted through the perfect sacrifice of our Saviour. To follow Him, we need the help of the Holy Spirit. He is the living water that comes to satisfy our thirst for life. But into this ‘Living Water’ from above, we must put some Intimacy, Conversion and Evangelisation (ICE). Both will lead us to heaven.
Loving Lord, Your love for us compels You to give us what we need to avoid hell and gain entrance into Your heavenly kingdom. May the longing in our hearts to be in Your presence inspire us to be worthy vessels of Your Spirit and yield to His gentle promptings. Amen.
Blessings,
Fr. Howie
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