A Wondering About Hell

 

A Wondering About Hell

     Is it such a sin to believe Jesus will meet every man, woman, and child offering them rest?  Either in this time or in the one to come after?   In other words, will Jesus come to us after we have passed from here giving us the chance to live with Him forever?

     This idea flies in the face of “once dead always dead.”  You only go around once.  It is appointed for man once to die then the judgement.  Either get your business straight with God now or slam, the door is shut forever.  Forever is a long time.  And God is still just.

      What of that little Hindu kid who grows up in ignorance worshipping a plethora of gods?  He has never seen a Bible or heard the gospel.  What of an ancient Babylonian warrior born in a time to sack Israel?  What does God do with all gentiles never given a chance to come to Him in salvation?  I think the answer lies here.

^{Romans 1:20 “}For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”

     Upon death our spirit and soul are very much alive.  What we have learned here in our short time is that there is a God.  Furthermore, He is powerful and commands respect. 

^{Hebrews 1:13 “}But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?”

^{John 5:23 “}That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.”

     Jesus is the dividing line.  Unless we bow to Him, we have nothing to do with the Father.  What if all were given the chance to bow to Him?  Will God use His power to threaten that all may bend the knee?  No.  He gives opportunity.

     All men wrestle with authority.  Our response to it greatly reveals our character.  In obedience or disobedience, our works lay exposed to the One who sees.  God says we will be judged.  All will give an accounting of what he has done in the flesh.  Jesus remains to be that Judge.

     In understanding the eternal Godhead and subsequent power, we make a choice.  Will we bow?  If Jesus came to us in a nonthreatening way and Hell was not in the picture, would we kneel?  If our personages were so inclined to evil here, would we lower ourselves?  In other words, Jesus may come to us offering life, yet we could resist.

     I maintain Jesus comes to all in some fashion.  He gives all the choice to honor Him.  It’s not about salvation or saving from Hell.  We must determine in ourselves if we will give the proper response.  If not, He does not force us to live with Him forever.

     Hell is a chosen place.  God does not condemn a man lost in his ignorance.  Much was lost with Adam.  Communication lines were cut as splinters of Mankind went their separate ways worshipping shadows of a pure God they once knew.  Gradually their minds were darkened being polluted from the stains of their ancestors.  Idol worship reigned for man still acknowledged his spiritual need.  God’s mercy be poured out, yet He makes a distinction.

^{Romans 1:21 “}Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

     So a man makes a choice now or in the hereafter.  When he knows God, will he voluntarily glorify Him?  A giving up is still the same.  God does not in compulsion hold those close who want to run.  If all men are given this chance, then we must rewrite our evangelical message.

    The opportunity we have now is to know the Father.  It’s not about Hell.  This prong we prod the unbeliever must be broken.  “You’re gonna burn in Hell!”  So much vinegar, so little honey.  In kindness, Jesus comes to us with the offer.

^{Matthew 11:28 “}Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

      Surely, it better to come under His reign now by learning respect.  A great benefit we have on this side of Heaven.  Walking with Him in the sufferings of life feels better.  Hell is a long way off.  How are we to convince those outside if they do not care about the day in front of them?  Maybe the horizon should be drawn closer.  A relationship is evident to those educated.  Our gospel goes out in the ‘good news’ not in fear of Hell fire.