One of the hardest teachings of Christianity is that of heaven and hell. Of course, the heaven part is not problematic for most of us. But hell…
The reality of Hell, and the fate of those who do not know Jesus, has been a stumbling block to people in and out of the church for years. The problem usually is stated something like this: I can’t believe in a God who would send someone to hell just because he doesn’t believe in Jesus.
These people can’t believe that God is so unloving and capricious.
I don’t either.
The God I know doesn’t send people to hell because they don’t know Jesus.
People go to hell because they sin, not because they don’t believe in Jesus.
However, God loves us so much he became flesh (HE became flesh—Jesus isn’t “other” than God) and died for us to give us a way to be forgiven, while at the same time maintaining his own righteousness by not just “winking” at our sin. He paid the penalty.
But many of us just don’t believe this. We want the reality and hope of heaven without the fear of hell. But the same Bible that teaches about heaven teaches about hell. We don’t get to pick what we like and throw out the rest.
What’s the difference? Can’t we believe in heaven and love the Lord and not worry about hell? If I believe in Jesus I don’t need to worry about hell so what’s the problem?
Here’s the problem. If I love as Jesus loves, I can’t just say “I have mine, I don’t care about you” (I’m with the Lord so I’m ok either way, hope you’re ok). If hell is real—as scripture plainly teaches—and if I care about someone, I do something. I tell them. I warn them. I offer them an alternative.
If I don’t do that, there are really only two explanations. Either I don’t care if that person goes to hell, or I really don’t believe in Hell.
in Christ,
Randy Christian
