Ask the Pastor 22

Why is there a hell?

Surely, a loving God would not create a hell of eternal suffering? The philosophical argument goes something like this; 1. The greatest good is to save all men. 2. Even one person in hell would be less than the greatest good. 3. Therefore, God cannot send anyone to hell. There are at least two problems with that logic, the first is that it negates human freedom to choose. People pride themselves in their “free will” and the Lord God wants people to choose Him and to choose life with Him in heaven, but to not choose Him is to choose hell, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but he wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36). This naturally leads to the second problem which is that God does not send people to hell. People go to hell because they choose to not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, therefore separation from God is separation from everything that is God. Whereas God is eternal light, rest and joy; being separated from Him is eternal darkness, agony and sorrow. So, are you concerned about going to hell, then believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes on Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” (John 5:24).