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How Can God Send People to an Eternal Hell? (1)

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

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In our problems studies, we have begun addressing some of the arguments that are made to challenge the God of the Bible.   Last month, we addressed God and suffering.   Today, we want to address another difficult question that poses a supposed dilemma for some.     Perhaps this is something we struggle with as well.   Today we want to talk about, “How can a loving God send people to an eternal hell?”

This is a complex question that involves many areas of examination – Who is God? What is hell? What is sin? The nature of man, etc.   Yet, often without any consideration of some or all of these subjects, they evoke a question that is supposed to stop the Christian dead in his tracks.   But it shouldn’t.

1.   Considering the question
   1. This is often used by skeptics and agnostics and even atheists to reject God, or in particular, the God of the Bible.   They rationalize that since the Bible describes God as good, fair and loving (qualities they try to disprove), that to condemn one to an eternal hell is contrary to His nature.   Therefore, either He doesn’t exist OR He is not worthy of our reverence (because He is unjust)
   2. First, like suffering, this is NOT an issue that proves or disproves the existence of a god, or even the God of the Bible. It deals with the character of God, but not His existence.
      Not LIKING what the Bible says about this subject doesn’t change evidence for the resurrection of Jesus, the Bible as the word of God or the Christian’s faith.
      So to use it as justification to reject God is a false premise.
   3. God is God, whether we understand Him or not.   And our understanding (or lack thereof) is the first point of consideration. Just because we don’t understand EVERYTHING about the nature of God doesn’t mean that He is not there, nor does it mean that we cannot reconcile His love and His severity (Romans 11:22).
      Will we admit there are things about God we do NOT understand?
   4. Typically, such an accusation is based upon MAN’S interpretation of who God OUGHT to be.   We want God to be a certain way, so we create him to be that way.   That is what idolatry and self-imposed religion is about. But that doesn’t change who He really is.
   5. Also, the Bible’s teaching about hell is a VERY emotional response. It ought to give no one pleasure to talk about hell, especially when we understand it.   It deals with one’s eternity, especially one who doesn’t WANT to follow the God of the Bible.
      AND typically what one actually struggles with is its severity.   We THINK (and perhaps in our minds we struggle with) it is too harsh. Most understand that justice requires punishment. We understand that in our society.   The murderer and rapist should be punished accordingly.   And humanity ought to understand the need for consistent and SEVERE punishment – because the lack thereof leads to lawlessness.
   6. But what about the severity of punishment? When man determines what is a worthy punishment, typically he leans toward leniency, especially if it is about himself – “I know what I deserve, but can I get… instead?”   IOW, man redefines what justice actually is.  This has led to all types of false concepts about hell – from denying its existence, to purgatory (a temporary place of punishment and purification), to the doctrine of universalism (all will be saved), to various “comfort doctrines” that deceive many into thinking they will be ok (OSAS, continuous cleansing, meritorious works, etc.) because they are believers, even though they continue in their sinful conduct.
   7. These are some things we ought to keep in our minds as we seek to answer the question from a Biblical standpoint.
2.   The nature of God
   1. The goodness and severity of God – Romans 11:22. Paul noted that God is both good and severe.   These are quality that are NOT contradictory with each other.   In fact, anyone who understands justice knows that BOTH are needed in an orderly society.
      Both apply to God as well. He demonstrates His goodness to ALL mankind.
   2. The holiness of God – God is holy (Isaiah 6:3). Psalm 111:9, “holy and awesome is His name.”
      And as such He is totally separated from evil.   Psalm 5:4, For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You.
      Habakkuk 1:13 – You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot look on wickedness…
      Therefore evil and sin must be addressed by Him.
   3. Justice and righteousness – we must also understand these qualities as we address God.
      God is just – Isaiah 30:18 notes, For the LORD is a God of justice. Often He is portrayed as a judge. The idea of His justice means that He is fair and balanced as He renders judgment. One of the challenges with this lies in the fact that man think of justice through the eyes of flawed men and their system of justice – with its corruption and mistakes. But God will make no mistakes. He will judge each of us justly and righteously.
      God is righteous – this means He is right and fair as He judges.     Romans 1:16-17 tells us the gospel reveals His righteousness.
      Romans 2:2-8 ties these together with God – the righteous judgment of God brings about wrath on the hardened and impenitent heart, and glory and honor on those who do good.
      True justice demands that the innocent be protected, that the guilty be punished and that all be judged by the same standard.
   4. The nature of sin – how serious is sin?   Man typically doesn’t appreciate how terrible sin really is.
      When God created man, he was without sin.   He was created upright (Ecclesiastes 7:29, Genesis 1:27 – created in the image of God). And he was given freewill and a choice.   Sadly, Eve and Adam choose foolishly and sinned.
      That sin separated them from God, and every sin committed after that separates man from God (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 59:2)
      Where there is sin, there MUST be punishment for that sin.   Who gets to determine that punishment and its severity?   Is it the child who takes the cookie without permission?   Is it the criminal who steals or kills?
      Now we need to face the reality of sin – we are ALL sinners – Romans 3:23. Romans 6:23, the wages of sin is death – separation from God.   If we look at our lives and how we have behaved before God, are we innocent or guilty? Are we sinners? And if so, what do we deserve?
      AND in this we need to understand that we have just disobeyed God, we have rebelled against Him.
   5. God’s love demonstrated – Again I ask, How serious is sin?
      From God’s standpoint it is so serious that it demanded a perfect sacrifice to provide forgiveness.   Jesus did FOR us – Romans 3:23-26, 5:6-9.   In that sacrifice, God provided a way for us to be forgiven.   Another way for the PRICE TO BE PAID than we receiving the punishment we deserve. He paid the price (He did NOT become sin) for us (2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 53:6, 1 Peter 2:24 – He bore our sins in His own body).  This is how God dealt with the problem of sin and His justice – He PROVIDED a way for us to be forgiven. This shows how much God cares for us. He provided a way for us to avoid the horrors of hell.
   6. There will be a day of judgment for all- But He WILL punish those who reject Him.   And He has set the terms of that punishment – eternity in hell.     Whether we like it or not, it is the prescribed punishment

The fact is, while we cannot fully comprehend the mind of God, by faith we accept the goodness of God and that His judgment will be just.   We must seek to separate human reasoning to question what we do not fully understand (Isaiah 59:8-9).   While this might not give you full consolation, it is an answer.   But here is the ultimate point to consider – will you allow this to reject and rebel against Him and assure His wrath when you do stand before Him? I fear that if you do, you will have all of eternity to regret it.   BUT, it doesn’t have to be that way.   You can surrender to Him and let the blood of Jesus do its work.   How can we help you in this?

(To be continued in part 2)