We have a full week of new episodes scheduled, so let's dive in, Pastor John.

Podcast listener Connor Hodges writes in to ask this, Pastor John, it seems odd to me

that the command of Christ looks like this.

Pursue joy in me or face eternal punishment.

If that was ever the case in this world, it would seem outrageous.

For example, if a husband says to his wife, you better love me above all else or I will

cast you out, then it wouldn't really be true love from the wife if she knew her only

other option is to be cast out.

I know this is wrong thinking, but I'm having a hard time wrestling with this type of analogy.

What would you say to Connor, Pastor John?

I would point out that there are three different, though not separated, issues in what he just

said.

Number one, does the Bible teach that the failure to delight in God results in eternal

punishment?

Number two, if it does, does the analogy of a human husband setting up the same dynamic

with his wife, illumine or cloud that reality?

Third, the way you express the connection between our failure to delight in God and our eternal

losses makes a huge difference in whether the truth can sound acceptable or not.

So those are three huge issues and they got all jumbled together in that question.

So I'm going to take them one at a time because the first one is key.

Number one, does the Bible teach that the failure to delight in God results in eternal punishment?

So let's start with 1 Corinthians 16, 22.

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