Presenting biblical answers to tough questions
Q: How could a loving God send anyone to hell?
A: I feel I need to answer this question in two stages: first to address it’s implications (i.e. how it is worded), then to address it’s essence (what God does and why).
This question puts God in an unloving light before we’ve even begun. God is pictured as directly condemning people to hell who do not want to go there. The implications are that God is uncaring, harsh, and judgmental, while people are poor, innocent victims. This is quite far from the real situation and must be corrected by the proper Scriptures.
First, God’s efforts have not been focused on sending people to hell but on rescuing us from that fate (John 3:16; Romans 3:23-24). God does not delight in punishing the wicked but delights in mercy (Micah 7:18); He has moved heaven and earth to open an avenue for that mercy to the human heart (Romans 5:8).
Second, the Bible reveals that humanity is not made up of poor innocents but hopelessly ruined sinners (Romans 3:10-11). As such the only thing we can earn from God is wrath and judgment (Romans 6:23). Even though hell is what we deserve, it is not what God wants to give us (John 3:16-18). God is not sending anybody to hell; He is mercifully holding back the end of time (2 Peter 3:9), waiting for us to respond to his offer of pardon and escape the penalty for sin.
Having responded to these misconceptions, I will list ways in which God’s love is shown by faithfully carrying out the penalty for sins on those who refuse His abundant mercy and grace. The Bible teaches that it is loving to correct those who are in the wrong (Hebrews 12:6). The Bible also says it is loving to uphold right and wrong clearly for the sake of those who are listening and learning (Romans 9:22-24). In short, those who end up in hell do so because they have rejected God’s love, not because God is unloving.
The questions and answers compiled over the last year are now available in hard-copy and digital format. To request a copy send an email to askapastor [email protected] or by mail to Formoso Church; P.O. Box 66; Formoso Kans. 66942
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