WHAT’S PURGATORY?
2Corinthians 5:1, 5
“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, and eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands…Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose [clothed with our heavenly dwelling] and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
2Corinthians 5:1, 5
“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, and eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands…Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose [clothed with our heavenly dwelling] and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
Have you ever heard the word, purgatory? (PUR-ga-TOR-ee). What is purgatory? Supposedly, purgatory is a place where people go when they die. The deal with purgatory is that people can earn salvation, their sins wiped out. Either by suffering long enough, by having loved ones pray enough, or give enough money (theoretically) wins a person’s entrance into heaven. This restitution (res-ti-TU-shun, meaning payment) attains the person’s salvation.
Well, there’s no such thing! Purgatory’s never mentioned in the Bible. It’s a total lie. Purgatory is only a hope, a second-chance for people to get to heaven.
(Alternatively, some people use the word purgatory, to mean that something is in an undecided state—having nothing to do with death.)
The false idea of purgatory directly opposes God’s saving plan for His children. If people could work out their own salvation, why did Jesus have to die on the cross?
Jesus death was the Father’s gift to save His sinful children from eternal death. It was Jesus’ blood, substitution sacrifice for our sins, that paid our sin-debt in full (Hebrews 9:12). We did nothing to win our salvation—it’s a gift—just because God loves us.
Nowhere can we find purgatory, a detour where someone could pay penance for a “get out of hell” pass. If we could purchase our own salvation, then Jesus’ death makes no sense. Those who reject Christ as Savior get no second chance for salvation after death, simple as that.
Remember the thief who was crucified next to Christ begged, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.”
Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43). That’s all it takes to win salvation. It really is that simple!
But each new day is a second chance for everyone. The Lord’s mercies are never used up. His compassion never fails, they are new every morning; great is His faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-24).
Take Home Nugget
People can choose to live in gratitude for God’s mercy and grace every day, thanking Him for another second chance. Today is our second chance at life—let’s make the most of it!
As shadows of night open up dawn’s light,
God extends before us a brand new day;
With this come mercies from His gracious hand
Providing new mercies is always His way.
J.D. Griffith
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