John the Baptist was a bold preacher who called people to repent, in preparation for the Kingdom of heaven. He publicly rebuked the Pharisees as 鈥渧ipers鈥�; reprimanded Roman soldiers for unnecessary brutality; and ordered tax collectors to quit being cheats and thieves, to deal honestly and return what was stolen. Later, he rebuked King Herod for living unlawfully with his brother鈥檚 wife. Herod was so angry he put John in prison, and later killed him.

The kingdom of God is unbending when it comes to sin. God defines it, not man. Man would justify his sin for selfish reasons, but God cares for those who get hurt. For example:  murder, adultery, theft, lies, and drunkenness 鈥� each of these are committed knowing it will hurt others, yet it is done to satisfy 鈥渟elf鈥�.  It is evil, and God is right to judge it.

Sin is also hypocrisy, for people do unto others what they hope no one does unto them. The murderer hopes he isn鈥檛 killed in prison; the adulterer hopes his other half is faithful; the thief fortifies his house against burglars; and the liar expects others to tell the truth.

God says all people have sinned. But the pandemic nature of sin makes it no more acceptable than a disease. God lovingly offers forgiveness for all who will confess their sins to him, forsake them, and place their faith in Christ. The result? A new heart, with strength of righteousness, loving God, and others, above self.

There are two eternal destinations for all people. Those who repent and trust Christ have eternal citizenship in the Kingdom of God.

Those who refuse God鈥檚 pardon will spend eternity in God鈥檚 prison, called hell, because in God鈥檚 Kingdom, the coming joys are too glorious to be defiled by the selfishness of sin.