Hell (Part 2)

If I may, just a few more thoughts on Hell and then I'll let the subject go.

I must admit that I don't like the doctrine of Hell. I don't think anyone does. If I had an option to remove any doctrine from the Scriptures, this would be the one I would take out. But we can't. It has the full support of the Word and Jesus taught on it several times.

For the many people out there that say "I can't believe that a loving God would send anyone to Hell", I would ask the following question: "What are you asking God to do?" Would they have Him wipe out all all their past sins and give them a fresh start? He's already done that on Calvary. All they have to do is repent. Would they have Him forgive them? All they have to do is ask. Do they just want to be left alone? If they don't repent and ask for forgiveness, that is exactly what He will do ... leave them completely and utterly alone.

For those that are cast into outer darkness, they will forever endure the freedom that they have always demanded for themselves.

Whenever we talk about Hell, there is for most people (I know it is true for myself) the inclination to think about the possible damnation of my family, friends and acquaintances. I think that is why the thought of Hell can be so disturbing to us, especially when we see these people as "good people". That may be why so many people have problems reconciling the idea of a just God with the concept of Hell. However, keep in mind that we really only know others from the "outside". But the odd thing is that when we look at ourselves, we know (if we will just admit it) that "in us dwells no good thing". In the light of our own sins and failures, we know that God is just.

If we really believe that we are living in the last days and if we really believe that there is a Hell ... then we need to re-double our efforts to save the lost. Tell someone about Jesus that you've never told before. That person who you gave up on because they just would not listen - give it one more try.

Lastly, we need to re-commit ourselves - to our local church, to the Word and to prayer, but especially to Christ Himself. Those TV shows that we just can't miss, those hobbies that take up so much of our time - do they really matter in the light of the day we are living in? Even more so today than ever before, we should strive to keep ourselves pure, blameless and unspotted from the world.

2 Peter 3:10-14 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.