How
could a loving God send people to hell?
· One of the first things we must understand, is that God loved the world so much that He was prepared to send His only Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for our sakes. But we also need to understand that this Jesus, who embodies the love of God; who loved the world so much that He willingly went to a death on a cross is the one who warned most clearly about the dangers of hell. But we know that it is the deepest love that warns most clearly – if we are parents, we aren’t indifferent or careless about dangers our children might face. Neither is God.
· However we all know of situations where despite great love, people can walk away. The gospels tell us of Jesus’ as He was ready to ride into Jerusalem weeping over that city, saying, “.. how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” Elsewhere the Bible describes God as handing people over to the sins they desire – that is to say, in one sense, people themselves walk away from God into hell.
· God has made us for a relationship with Him that is for eternity. He has made that possible by giving Himself in His Son on a cross. The question we need to ask then is, why would people who have not wanted to know God; who have been indifferent to Jesus, want to spend eternity with Him? Heaven is where God is, because for the Christian, God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is their chief desire.
· God is also absolutely just. What would we think if He didn’t send a Hitler to hell? But hell is the place where people are, who have all their lives persisted in rebellion against the king of the universe; the ruler of Creation. But Jesus warns often, because it can be avoided, and urges us to do so with the most gracious and wonderful invitation – “Come to me.” A loving God has provided the escape route – His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The 2 Ways to live link will help you do this.