What about hell?

Without naming names, a handful of prominent theologians have decided that a loving God will not punish anyone. Therefore there is no hell.

Granted, this is not a popular topic. Most of us do not like to talk about or try to defend eternal punishment. I’ve sat in Bible studies where the subject came up and the subject was quickly changed. If anyone had anything to say, it was usually an explanation that life here ended for those who had not put their faith in Christ, but God would save them as they drew their last breath.

Here is what Jude has to say about it:

Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 5–7)

His first example of destruction might be interpreted as physical destruction yet the word could also be translated as “perish” and carries the sense of being totally lost.

As for the angels who are kept in eternal chains, the word “eternal” means “always” — at least until they stand before God on His day of judgment. Since they skipped out on their assigned place, they cannot be declared innocent. Unless God shows mercy, they haven’t any hope. Jesus indicated their fate when he talked about people who refused to care about others (sheep vs. goats):

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” (Matthew 25:41)

There is no possible out for the last example. The word translated “eternal” means just that, “everlasting” and is used more than 70 times in the New Testament to describe things that have no end. Eternal life is one of them as is the life of God. While our finite minds have a tough time with the concept of never-ending, this is about the God who has no beginning or end, about the life He gives those who follow Christ, and about the fate of those who have rejected that life.

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:2)

Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (John 5:28–29)

As I understand sin and the holiness of God, it seems obvious that God has the right to toss all of us into an eternity separated from Him. Apart from His mercy and grace, eternal punishment is justice for my sin and for any who reject His offer of redemption.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

The question should not be: Why does a loving God punish sinners? But: Why does a holy God even bother with any of us?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, I don’t even like thinking about the fate of those who reject You. This is such an unpopular idea and yet Your Word speaks of it. What else can You do with those who refuse Your gift of forgiveness and life? You do not force it on anyone. You said, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” (John 3:17–20)

I’ve no idea why You drew anyone, including me, to Yourself. I’m just glad You did and glad that there is a way of escape for all who are willing to say yes to You.

Today’s thankful list . . .

- eternal life in Christ, a free gift for me, costly for God.

- God changed my heart to love Him instead of rejecting Him.

- mercy and grace when I don’t deserve even the least of His mercies.

- every other good and perfect gift from God.

Debates and arguments?

My first experience with a ‘flood’ happened on the second floor of our townhouse in a complex called (no kidding) “The Summit.” It was the morning after a heavy rain. I got out of bed and when my bare feet hit the carpet, it splashed!

Turned out that the driving rain pushed in through an improperly sealed window flashing and put two inches of water on our top story bedroom floor. After ripping up the carpet, an industrial vacuum cleaner and a few fans dried up the mess.

This bit of water is nothing compared to flood losses around the world. My sister lives in a town that had water up to the roof in its downtown area and water covering the houses in one subdivision. Many Asian lands and other place are hit by monsoon rains that devastate communities, never mind the tsunamis that destroy lives and properties.

This morning I read the promise God made after the great flood in Noah’s time. He said He would never again destroy the whole earth with water and the rainbow was our sign of that promise. My thoughts went to the denials concerning this flood. Historians argue that it never happened even though many ancient cultures tell flood stories. The Bible’s veracity again is questioned. Was this a real event or not?

The flood is not the only thing that is debated. During the New Testament times, two religious groups disagreed about other things said in the Word of God. When Paul was mobbed by a crowd, he actually used this to sidetrack his accusers . . .  

Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. (Acts 23:6–8)

This debate caused division just as the flood debate does. Add to the mix the Creation story and other biblical accounts and humanity seems bent on finding reasons to doubt anything God says.

Many who believe the Word of God can produce evidence that supports its history and specific details, but that old adage comes into play: “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.”

Jesus knew the main reason people rejected His Word. It was not about evidence, scientific proof, reasoning or needing to be convinced by facts. Instead, it was simply, “I will not have this man rule over me.” They didn’t want Jesus telling them what to do for the same reason they disobeyed God throughout their history. He said to them . . .

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. (Matthew 23:23)

They were interested only in appearing righteous, in having the power that went with being religious leaders. They were not interested in doing the important things that God asked of them. Debating the reality of biblical statements was a smokescreen, their attempt to cover the reality of their sinful hearts.

It is risky to say this, and perhaps not always true, but from what I see in the NT, the human heart will go to great lengths to avoid giving up sin or even admitting it exists. Arguing about the reality of the flood, the virgin birth, the dying and resurrection of the Messiah, the existence of angels, and so on, are side issues. Jesus nails the real problem:

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. (John 3:17–20)

Jesus, I do not like bright light either, at least the kind that exposes the sinfulness of my heart. However, there is another kind of light that is precious. John wrote about it also:

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:5–7)

The song says, “Shine Jesus shine” asking You to fill the earth with the Father’s glory, the light that transforms our lives. Thank You for faith that knows Your word is true — all of it, from that incredible flood story through OT history to the wonder of Your appearance and all NT events. Arguing is pointless.

Fun? Or Joy?

Sometimes a bad dream ruins a good night’s sleep. I had one of those where some people were having fun, but what they were doing distressed me. Getting back to sleep was impossible. However, the Lord put a song into my mind and as I praised Him. The dream was not real, and He changed my distress to peace, even joy.

I’ve had people say they didn’t want to be Christians because that would ruin all their ‘fun’ which suggests that some ‘fun’ activities would not win God’s approval or please the church. Maybe so, but the good news that any so-called fun activities disapproved by God and His people are replaced with something far better.

Jesus speaks in general that instead of those who “come only to steal and kill and destroy,” He has a better plan. He says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Abundant means “considerably more than one could expect or anticipate.” Is abundant life better than fun?

The Lord adds specifics to this abundance. He promised His disciples: “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:24) Answered prayer is awesome, and joy is far richer and longer lasting than fun.

Perhaps some have a false idea of fun. For one thing, it totally depends on circumstances. On the other hand, God is the source of joy and it is ours as a gift. Things that turn us away from God might be fun for a while, but like the wise man said, some things seem right at the time, but lead us down a dark path.

Jesus probed at the motivations that cause people to reject Him:

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” (John 3:17–20)

What do darkness lovers really believe? Is their philosophy of life like my dream where life’s pleasures seem fun at the time, yet fades because it is fake fun that depends on activities, things, other people, stuff? In some ways, that kind of fun is like my dream — at some point it goes poof and is gone.

Dreams are usually illogical too, but the Bible definition of faith seems to fall into that same category:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

Fun-lovers can see what gives them pleasure, but they cannot see God or the results of faith until they experience it. Yet biblical faith is more than the verbal description. The Bible describes by what happens to people who have it. Hebrews 11 gives many examples, and yes, some faith-filled men and women die — persecuted for their faith. (Need I say that everyone dies?) Some give their lives to serve in harsh and demanding conditions — yet there are categories of ‘fun’ ruin health, mental stability, the capacity to think with wisdom, relationships, and a host of other important things in life without anything to show for it. Faith produces a different set of values.

Faith also comes with the gift of the Holy Spirit who gives us attitudes as we live our abundant life: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23)

Faith means freedom from the tyranny of selfishness and sin. Faith means fullness and meaning in life. Faith means intimacy with God and insight into His plans for this planet. Faith means forgiveness and freedom from guilt. Faith means total delight in doing His will. It means power and a sound mind, wisdom, hope, assurance for the future even the future after this life is over. Loving Jesus makes me extremely happy. My search for ‘fun’ never satisfied me as He does.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, You gave me emotions that I might experience life in its fullness. Never let me be satisfied with ‘fun’ if it means abandoning the deep joy that You give, a joy that carries me through good times and bad, and never leaves me wishing for more perks to keep my mood up!