HELL – Does It Really Exist and Why Would a Loving God Send Anyone There?

Referring back to the last posting, John 3:16 speaks of God’s great love for us and if asked to complete the following sentence, “God is ______,” most of us are probably going to insert the word – LOVE.  And while the statement “God is Love” is absolutely and unequivocally true, it does not present a complete picture of God.

What if someone described you totally by ONLY one of the following statements?

            She is blue-eyed.                 He is bald.
            She is short.                         He is tall.
            She is beautiful                    He is intelligent.

Even if the statement is true, it does not totally and adequately describe you.  You are the sum total of your attributes, personality preferences, physical characteristics, life experiences, memories, emotions, etc.  And neither does the statement that “God is Love” tell us everything God has revealed to us OR wants us to understand about Him. 

HELL – Does It Really Exist and Why Would a Loving God Send Anyone There?

The place to start the consideration of hell is with the realization that God has done everything that He could, short of forcing every person to go to Heaven (which would be a violation of each individual’s freewill), to keep each of us from spending eternity in Hell.  Sadly, there are many individuals who go to church on Sunday and yet, they are no closer to knowing with a certainty their eternal destination.  Perhaps the best-known verses of the Bible, which speak to God’s LOVE and WILL for us are: 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him      

will not perish but have eternal life.  God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.  There is no judgment awaiting those who trust Him.  But those who do not trust Him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God.  Their judgment is based on this fact:  The light from heaven came down into the world, but they loved darkness more than light, for their actions were evil.”    John 3:16-19  New Living Translation

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise to return, as some people think.  No, He is     being patient for your sake.  He does not want anyone to perish, so He is giving more time for everyone to repent.”   2 Peter 3:9  New Living Translation

HELL – Does It Really Exist and Why Would a Loving God Send Anyone There?

Many people today choose not to believe in an eternal place of punishment, referred to as Hell, and for others it is just inconceivable for such a place to serve a purpose.  Even within the greater Christian community there are those who do not believe what is clearly stated in the Bible concerning Hell.  Some contemporary authors are making headlines, following the course of many before them, by continuing to challenge the existence of Hell. They advocate various ideas of “universal reconciliation” – that God’s love for us is so great, that no human being will be condemned to Hell. Even a local newspaper announced one of these author’s books with the headline, “New Book Challenges Classic Notions of Hell.”  The word “notions” puts a particular slant on the belief, which could lead to the conclusion that the other truths God has revealed to us are to be regarded as “notions” (an opinion, whim, idea, fanciful impulse) as well.  So how do we begin a candid, honest investigation of this place that is self-described by its very name?

Gospel (Good News)

The word Gospel, simply means Good News, but ever wonder what that good news is?
Here's an acronymn using the letters of the word G-O-S-P-E-L with some references to passages in the Bible that will expand the observations:

GOSPEL

G         Gift of a Relationship by God’s Grace                Eph 2:8-9

O         Our’s by Faith                                                    Rom.  5:1-2; 10:19 & 2 Cor. 5:7

S         Salvation from Sin                                             Rom.  3:21-24; 10:9

P         Peace of God and Promise of Perfection          John 14:27; 1 Cor. 15:51-58; Phil. 4

E         Eternal Life in Paradise                                      Luke 23:42-43

L          Love Like no other                                            John 3:16; Rom. 5:8-11;1John 4:7-11

 If you don't have access to a Bible, I would suggest using www.biblegateway.com for access to many versions and languages.

What about all the Hypocrites who say they are Christians? What kind of example are they?

As told by A. Hypocrite   (Conclusion)

Consider as well the passage from Mark 8:34 mentioned above.  When Jesus said, “Follow Me,” he also told us to “turn from our selfish ways” (stop choosing your way) and “take up your cross” (an encouragement to crucify / die to self and do the unexpected).  To follow Jesus is not easy, but it is necessary, because others who need Him will take notice.

So what is your decision? Perhaps re-read Matthew 7:13-14 (above). Consider that the behavior of other Christians’ does not change the truth – there is only one way to heaven and one chance for true, eternal happiness. The way is through Jesus. Why not become a follower of Him, and accept the challenge of providing the world with an example of what a “great Jesus follower” should look like!