EXPOSURE TO THE SON PREVENTS BURNING


read the sign outside ofthe meeting place of a local congregation this past week. Cute saying - but totallyunscriptural! When one is exposed to the sun, he gets burned and that burning can be hazardous to health and even, if there is too much exposes, it can be fatal. But does “exposure to the Son” prevent one burning in hell, as the sign implies? To the denominationalist who believes the false doctrine of “faith only” it may be a statement that is full of comfort but to the child of God, it is a statement that is not only erroneous but one that gives a false hope to those who see it as they drive by. It gives a false hope that if one is simply “exposed” to the Son then their eternal salvation is assured. If the statement of the sign were true, then the devils would be saved since they were indeed “exposed to the Son” for we are told that the devils believe (James 2:19) and to believe, they must have been “exposed to the Son.” However, that same verse says that they also “tremble.” If simple “exposure to the Son” prevents burning in the fires of hell, why would the devils be trembling. They tremble because they know that simply believing or being exposed to the Son does not mean they will be saved. Again, let us notice, “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42-43). Here again, we see that the Chief Rulers were exposed to the Son, since, they believed. Did that “exposure” give then prevention from “burning” in the fires of hell? Their believe did not bring salvation because we are told that they refused to confess Christ as they feared being put out of the synagogue. Jesus made it clear that if we are going to be able to enter the heavenly realm, we must be willing to do that which these chief rulers were not, to confess Him before men. Note what Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in
heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33). Again, what about Felix and King Agrippa. Both of these were most certainly received “exposure to the Son” but their is no indication in the Scriptures that either of them benefited as to the
prevention of burning in the fires of hell by their exposure. Note what we read concerning Paul’s encounter with Felix, “And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. [And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound” (Acts 24:24-27). Again, respecting King Agrippa,
we read, “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds” (Acts 26:27-29). Neither of these benefited from their “exposure to the Son” as they did not respond to the message of salvation.
“Exposure to the Son” only prevents burning in the fires of hell when those who are so exposed are taught the truth that will make them free are obedient to the truth by their responding in obedience to the gospel. As the Hebrew writer wrote: “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Hebrews 5:9). If you do not want to burn in the fires of hell, be exposed to the Son and obey Him that you might be saved.
 

Ken Chumbley
 

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