2007-01-29 18:42:43 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Isn't God meant to be all forgiving?
2007-01-29 19:07:37 · update #1
Bear with me, this is kind of long... sorry...
In theory, if a person did go to hell... there should be some good, solid reason for it... because God is fair and just. However...
According to my faith in Jesus Christ (and this is not necessarily the belief of ALL Christians, but it is mine by faith), it is written in the Holy Bible, 2 Peter 3:9, that it is God's will that NONE should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance. To me, that says that God Himself does not WANT anyone to go to hell in the first place.
God has also made a promise to me, and to all who believe in Him and in the name of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ... in 1 John 5:14... that whatever we ask in Jesus's name, according to God's will, He hears us, and we have the right to ask whatever we will.
Therefore, because it is written that it is God's will that all should come to repentance... I believe that He hears our prayers for people who have not come to repentance... and because He never wanted them to go to hell anyway... He changes their hearts and makes them repentant. He did it to MY stony heart which believed in nothing, much less repentance.
This promise that God has made to us who believe... it has made me try not to neglect to pray for the individuals who cross my path... for their repentance and the health of their souls. It has made me try to always welcome people into the family of God in Christ Jesus with open arms. I want everyone to know the good news about Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life... the only way to God. And He offers salvation freely to all people of all races, creeds, genders, and religions.
But each person must make their own choice: follow Jesus and have life with God eternally, or reject Him and be separated from God eternally (hell). It is written that if a person rejects Jesus, that person is also rejecting God who sent Jesus. So I am praying (and hope that other believers will agree with me in prayer) that according to the will of God, all people who read here will come to repentance in whatever way necessary to reunite them with God through Christ. Christ Jesus said He is the only way to God. He also stated that "if you have seen me, you have seen the Father [God]" in John 14:9. He is not just a prophet. If He was, He would have no power over hell or the grave. But He is more than a prophet, He was the fulfillment of prophecy as the Messiah... and He does have these powers.
Therefore, to those who did not know it before, there is an alternative to repenting in hell: it is called "repenting here" while the time is "today"... and it is entirely possible not to have to worry about hell any more after today. Simply know that according to my faith in Jesus... no person on earth is "good" enough to make it to heaven... but God wants them there anyway... He sent Jesus his only begotten Son to be a sacrifice for the sin of all mankind and to reconcile us to God... all it takes is turning to Jesus and believing that He is the only Savior and Lord (God, not just a man). Once that is done... there is no worry about having to be forgiven in hell... because if you have done that... you are saved and no more worry of hell. Jesus has got you securely anchored into God's kingdom. It's simple.
Jesus said that each person on earth would get the same chance to believe in Him, and that the good news of Him would be preached to all nations before the end of the world. I am a poor preacher but have done my best. I believe this is the reason you won't be able to repent and be forgiven in hell: because you have an opportunity "TODAY" to receive Jesus. Ask Him in prayer to come into your heart, to anchor your soul and to guide and direct you, to fill you with God's Holy Spirit and to reconcile you to God by faith in His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Ask Him to save you. You will never again have to worry about hell. Pass on that good news, and extend to others the forgiveness that He has shown to you.
Regarding the "why" you can't repent in hell... the question will be moot, if no one here goes there in the first place. In other words, the Answer here, in my opinion, is simply "Jesus."
This is my prayer, and my answer to the Yahoo Question. I am not "right" but God is. Seek Him, He will not fail to lead you to truth if you seek Him with your whole heart. God bless you all.
2007-01-29 19:26:43 · answer #1 · answered by prodaugh-internet 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why can't you repent and live for God now? There are no athiests in hell. Everyone in hell is repenting for their stupidity while on Earth. Why throw your life away living for the devil, and then go to hell and holler about how God does not forgive? God wants you to live for Him HERE ON EARTH NOW, so He can reward you in heaven. The Bible says that over and over again and is very cut and dry on this. It is easier to obey God than to question why He said what He did. He is GOD and He can say and command whatever He wants. It is up to YOU to obey Him or not.
2007-02-01 07:04:32 · answer #2 · answered by NC_Pianist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because when you die, you have paid the price for sinning. The wages sin pays is death," (Romans 6:23)
And once you are dead, you don't worry about anything!!!
Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, because there is neither work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave, the place where you will eventually go.
Of course, there is the resurrection that is promised in the Bible.
But a person who is resurrected starts with a clean slate, and is then judged on his or her actions during the 'judgment day'
2007-01-29 19:51:00 · answer #3 · answered by sixfoothigh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably for the same reason you can't say, "Gee, I'm really sorry" once you've been sentenced to life in prison and then expect to be set free because you gave a nice apology. If you have knowledge of the law, blatantly choose to disregard the law, and are proven guilty, a fair and just judge will not let you go free.
And if he did, we could not call him fair and just, now could we?
-----EDIT-----
Yes, God IS forgiving.
"The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished." -Numbers 14:18
But once you die, it's too late. We have to make our choice in this lifetime, for it is appointed for a man to die once, and then to face the judgement (Hebrews 9:27). Now is the time for repentance; now is the time to accept Christ. We are not promised tomorrow.
"I tell you, NOW is the time of God's favor, NOW is the day of salvation." -2 Corinthians 6:2
2007-01-29 19:02:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i'm muslim..... our view is if you simply believe in one god...you'll eventually make it to heaven. Might take a billion years in hell, but you'll make it.
All religions in general...... you're told whats right and wrong...on top of that...you get countless chances to repent....we all make mistakes and have our own problems.
Not gonna get into this to deep....but lets say judaism is the true religion....maybe i don't agree with how most jews act or practice their religion, but i have soo many oppertunities to learn about that religion. The books are all there....i can go meet with different types of jews....people with different view points. I have all these possibilities....so if i don't take the time..why should god give me the time.
I agree with whoever said, too litle, too late.
2007-01-29 19:23:18 · answer #5 · answered by My name is not bruce 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Where there is no material world, there is no additional action possible. Psychologically speaking, heaven and hell are sort of dream states.You are pretty much going along for the ride until you are reborn. Your state of mind at the time of death is the main thing that matters.
2007-01-29 19:06:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you are sent to hell. it is really only like a prison sentence you serve your time then G-d will forgive you. But if your looking at it from a christian viewpoint then im screwed
2007-01-29 21:39:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can always change the direction of the path you are on. Hell is merely remorse, self-condemnation, guilt and frustration... not a physical prison of torment. It's a state of consciousness.
2007-01-29 18:56:11 · answer #8 · answered by MyPreshus 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
There are no cellphone towers in hell and you can't through to God.
2007-01-30 12:58:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because you are given enough chances before that....so Hell is really for the idiots who are blind to the signs.
2007-01-29 18:58:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
God has a no return policy.
2007-01-29 18:46:15 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋