The best advice for
those who find themselves trapped in a deep hole is to stop digging. Through
selfish desires, foolish actions, or shear ignorance, all of us have managed to
fall short of God’s expectations and thereby place ourselves in that proverbial
“deep hole”. In the process, we have created personal hardships, hurt others, and
more importantly managed to alienate ourselves from the Creator. These things
have profound implications not only for life on earth but for what awaits us
beyond the grave. A divine transformation is needed to get us back on the right
track.
Our physical predicaments
Human nature draws us to
things we like. Good food, tasty drinks, enjoyable company, pleasurable
experiences, and stimulating entertainment can provide healthy outlets from the
day-to-day drudgeries of life. However, even healthy pursuits can become
harmful when taken to excess. Add to that the long list of unhealthy things
offering short term highs and it's easy to see how we can fall into patterns of
bad behavior that lead to personal suffering and long term destructive
consequences. Such is the fate of many who have become impoverished by the
selfish pursuit of worldly pleasures. Drug and alcohol addictions, divorce,
broken friendships, crime, financial ruin, and legal troubles are just some of
the possible physical outcomes. These add needless pain and suffering to what
is often already a difficult life. The Truth can direct us to a better way of
life.
Our spiritual jeopardy
Even more important than
the physical predicaments of life are the spiritual consequences of being
alienated from the Creator when we defy His will for us by leading an unholy
life. Being created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27), humans were endowed not
only with a physical body but also with an eternal spirit (reference article
Always Remember – You Are Special!). In physical death, our spirit returns to the
Creator Who gave us life (Eccl. 12:7). For those who have not been transformed
by the Truth, there awaits an eternal separation from God in the anguish and
torment of Hell. Our loving God does not want that. God wants all humankind to hear
and obey the Truth and be transformed into His Kingdom, leading to eternal life
in Heaven (The Message and Mission of Jesus).
