ONE MORE SOUL IN HEAVEN AND ONE LESS SOUL IN HELL.
By Larry Pasley (January 2013)

When God loved us enough and we loved him back,
It meant one more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell. (John 3:16)

When we love someone enough it can also mean,
One more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell. (John 15:12-13)

When we love someone enough to pray for them,
It can mean one more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell. (I John 5:15-17)

When we love someone enough to weep over their lost condition,
It can mean one more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell. (Luke 19:41)

When we love someone enough to take the time to teach them,
It can mean one more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell. (James 5:19-20)

When we love someone enough to help them focus on the spiritual not the material,
It can mean one more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell. (I Timothy 6:6-10)

When we love someone enough to warn them of their doom,
It can mean one more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell. (Galatians 6:1)

When we love someone enough to not be willing for them to perish,
It can mean one more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell. (2 Peter 3:9)

When we love someone enough to snatch them from the fire,
It can mean one more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell. (Jude 22-23)

Are you content to leave that soul, you know, doomed to hell?
Or do you love them enough to want, one more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell? 
(Mark 16:15-16) - LP

BAPTISM OF FIRE - (SPIRITUAL SANCTIFICATION AS A GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT)
REALLY, HELL
(Mat 3:10-12) And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. {11} I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: {12} Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (Luke 3:16-17) John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: {17} Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

Even the casual reader can see that the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the baptism of fire are not the same thing. Judging from the context it becomes clear that being baptized (immersed) in fire is not something one should be desiring. The fire described in these verses brings a vivid picture of destruction, not blessing.

We may fall into a dangerous trap (like those who pray for a baptism of fire) of asking for something without fully understanding what we are asking to receive. James and John did this, (Mark 10:36-40) “And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? {37} They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. {38} But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? {39} And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: {40} But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.” One of the stages of Jesus’ glory was the cross and without doubt the Sons of Thunder didn’t want to be on Jesus’ right and left for that. They were looking for honor, but Jesus reminded them that true honor comes with a price much higher than anyone wants to pay and higher than some are willing to pay.

The old adage is valid here, “be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.” When we pray we need to be sure we are not praying selfishly or without heed to God’s will. We often pray for God to keep a loved one who is suffering alive. If that individual is a faithful Christian, we may be praying for the wrong thing. It may be time for that saint to depart to be with the Lord. Let’s all strive to think of the consequences before we ask, and always be willing to submit to God’s will knowing that He knows best.