I see their point.
Dare 2 Share - I get this all the time- perhaps you do to. It’s an honest enough sounding question, and one that I think most people have considered at least once or twice.
“How could a loving God send anyone to Hell?”
I see their point. After all, we talk about a loving, wise, all-powerful Creator who started this whole experiment called life in the first place. If He really does have attributes of compassion in Him, why condemn people to a place of eternal torment? If you were in charge of the universe, wouldn’t something like “remove Hell” be on the top of your list of things to do? Maybe we could make it so people could find a ‘get out of hell free’ card on E-bay, or better yet put the whole idea of eternal punishment up for a vote.
The problem is that the very nature of this question is flawed at its foundation- that’s why it is difficult to answer. So let’s breakdown this inquiry a bit, and see what the Bible has to say about the whole deal.
First off, it is incorrect to assume that God ‘sends’ people to hell. The Bible tells us that “He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change.” (2 Peter 3:9). In other words, there is no part of our Father that will take pleasure in the punishment of the unsaved. His desire is that everyone makes it through the pearly gates. I’ve met some Christians who almost seem happy that there are people who will end up in hell. Some sort of sick and twisted perspective that helps them feel better about themselves I guess. But this attitude is not from God- He truly is loving, which is why He doesn’t wish hell on anyone.
So how do people end up in the Lake of Fire? Simple- they bought a one way ticket with their own stubbornness and refusal to believe. It is their choice that leaves God no choice.
Maybe you thought that on Judgment Day, there will be folks who are shocked and surprised that they didn’t make the cut for heaven…don’t think so. Every man and woman who said ‘no’ to Christ’s offer of salvation through their entire lives will have a serious flashback when the Book of Life is opened, and it will be no new revelation to them.
So you see, God doesn’t ‘send’ anyone to hell…in actuality, He is giving people what they have insisted on their whole life: independence from their Creator.
But wait a sec Lane, what about the people who have never heard? How is it that they said ‘no’ to God?
Again, there is a problem with the question. The Apostle Paul wrote that: “since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). What he is saying is there is nowhere on earth that God hasn’t posted a huge sign saying “I EXIST!!!”
True, there are places that apparently haven’t heard the gospel, but gee- do you think that God might be smart enough to figure out a way to get the truth about Jesus to whomever He wants?
Bottom line: the fact that hell will have permanent guests breaks the heart of God more than any self-righteous, self-deceived atheist who is staking his/her eternal destiny on what seems ‘fair’. Truth be told: if ‘fairness’ were God’s main standard for running the universe, we would all end up in hell. We messed this place up, and God could have easily made us responsible. Instead, He came running to our rescue all the while yelling “hold on kids- I’m coming down!”
The real question we need to eternally ponder is this:
“How could a holy God send His only Son to die for the likes of me?”
That’s a question I will never be able to answer- and perhaps one that we as believers should be throwing back out into the inquisitive masses.
Questions:
1) Do you picture God as loving? Why or why not?
2) Do you know people who have asked this question? Are you willing to talk further with them about this issue?
3) How can you better show your gratitude for what Jesus did for you on the cross?
