The topic of hell is a touchy one. It makes us uncomfortable, so we stay away from it. But that’s not always possible. A common question asks, “How can a loving God send people to hell?” This is one of the hardest questions we will face, not because it’s hard to answer, but because it’s an emotionally charged subject.
The short answer is summed up by Dr. Frank Ture in his book, “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist.” He responds, “Do people die just because they don’t go to the doctor? No, they die because they have a disease. Likewise, you don’t go to hell merely because you don’t trust in Jesus; you go to hell because you’ve sinned.”
This answer is 100% accurate, but curious minds want more than a quick answer. To satisfy the heart of the question, we first need to understand the rationale behind the objection. The truth is, most people don’t have a problem with hell. We’d agree that really bad people, such as Hitler or Stalin, should go to hell. The issue arises not with egregious sinners but with your average sinner, people just like you and me.
What constitutes an egregious sinner? Where’s the line? As humans, we invariably place the line somewhere more sinful than ourselves. On a scale of 1 (Mother Theresa) to 10 (Adolf Hitler), someone landing at a 3 would say egregious would be a 4. People landing at 6 would say egregious would be 7 or higher.
This is why we don’t get to make the decision. Our view is subjective, subject to change. In God’s objective view, it’s not a matter of how far from 10 you are. God’s standard is 0. He is completely pure and righteous, and no matter how great of a person you are, you’re not a zero.
This is the reason Christ came to die. Romans 6:23 tells us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” A glass of water that is 1% contaminated is contaminated and is good for nothing except to be thrown out. Because of his great love, Christ came to die so that he could take our corruption upon himself and give us his righteousness. He could take us from a 1, 5, 8, or even a 10 and bring us down to a 0. That is the gospel message.
So why the requirement of faith? If I were to say that I’m a 10 on our previous scale, I’ve murdered, stolen, and raped, and I have no remorse for my sin and corruption yet God loves me and made my 10 a 0. That leaves an unsettling feeling within us.
We’re made in God’s image. Just as God’s love flows through our veins so does God’s justice. We inherently know that there’s a problem with the scenario painted. Yes, it may be loving, but it is not just. This is revealed by the Apostle Peter when he said, “Therefore, repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out.” (Acts 3:19). There is no forgiveness of sins without repentance.
There are only two options for the afterlife. Either you’re with God or separated from him. Those who reject God in this life have, with each choice made, shown that they would rather be without him. For someone who has lived their live rejecting God, heaven would be hell. God is love, and he wouldn’t force anyone to be with him. Does he want them in hell? No, but he loves them too much to make them be with him against their will.
That’s fine, you may say, but does he have to send them to a place of fire and torture? First, our modern concept of hell doesn’t perfectly match the scriptural description. Those who reject God are sent to a place where God leaves them alone. God is perfect love, perfect goodness, perfect righteousness, and perfect justice. Thus, hell is a place without love, without goodness, without righteousness, and without justice. All you’re left with are your self-absorbed, narcissistic thoughts, feelings, and desires.
It is not God’s desire that any should go to hell, but he loves us too much to force us into his presence. Thus, he made a way. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God the Son, God offers to give his own righteousness to any who will accept it. And that’s what he’s doing right now.
2 Peter 3:9 tells us, “The Lord isn’t slow to keep his promise, as some think of slowness, but he is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to change their hearts and lives.” God is biding his time, giving each and every person ample opportunity to accept his offer.