Why would such a loving and just God send us to Hell for simply not believing in him? That seems kind of harsh and petty to me.
2007-11-20 10:09:50 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
and please, don't compare a spanking or grounding to eternal toruire.
2007-11-20 11:54:04 · update #1
how would you feel?
2007-11-20 10:12:57 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is holy and cannot overlook sin. Hell was created for the devil and his angels. Man in his rebellion joined the ranks of the devil. God sent his son to take the punishment for our sins, so that those who trust in Jesus can go to heaven because their penalty has been paid in full by Jesus Christ. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the only thing that separates us from hell. Those who reject the sin bearer, must face God in their own sins. Not a pretty prospect. There is no other name given among men whereby we must be saved. Jesus Christ is the savior from hell. So not believing in the sin bearer is not a simple unbelief. It is refusing the only lifesaver you will ever have. God has put that lifesaver out there for you. He desires that you avail yourself and grab that lifesaver. I think the worst thing a sinner in hell will realize is how often that lifesaver was thrown his way but he refused. Now it is too late. Those are the most awfullest words a person can hear from God. Too late. You had your chance, but you refused. No mercy forever. No love forever. It was all simply refused by simply not believing in the savior. Such a simple unbelief, but a dreadful consequence. Let it not happen to you.
2007-11-20 18:28:41 · answer #2 · answered by pshdsa 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let me "take a stand" on that.
First of all, many people argue that a "loving" God should never punish. Are you a parent? As a parent, you may love your child, but still find it necessary to punish him. Granted, our punishment does not extend into eternity, as God's can. The other charge is that a "just" God, would not punish so unjustly as to send people to Hell for eternity. The problem with that is, that we measure justness differently than God does. God is a Holy and Just God. His Holiness means that He has a perfect standard that we humans cannot measure up to. That is why the Scripture says, "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). God's just nature means that He is required to punish that sin. The Bible says that "the wages (just reward) of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). This death is more than just physical, it is also spiritual, and requires an eternal separation between the sinner and a Holy God.
You say that it seems harsh; it is. God wants us to know how severely He views our sin. It is not a petty thing to Him, even if it seems petty to us.
Another thing that folks don't seem to understand, is that God is the Creator. As such, He has a right to set the rules, and set the standards. We as the creation have no real right to question His standards. Again, compare this to the situation with your child. Your standards and rules, and even your punishment, may seem too strict, or too petty, if they judge according to their own viewpoint. But we, as parents, know the "big picture" and act accordingly. Because we are the parents, we set the rules.
So, yes, God's punishment may seem too severe, His standards may seem too strict. But He is God.
The great break comes when we consider God's mercy. Mercy is that part of God's nature where He demonstrates His love by providing us with a means of escape. By sending Jesus to die for our sins, He makes it possible to escape the consequences of our sin. If we choose not to take advantage of this provision, then we must suffer the consequences of God's system of justice.
I hope you are asking the question in earnestness, and I hope this answer has helped. Let God be God, and let us take advantage of His mercy, by putting our faith and trust in His provision, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
2007-11-20 18:40:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Okay, I am going to give you an illustration. You are all muddy and in overalls and a ripped shirt. Everyone in the world was invited to a wedding. But you don't know the person getting married, you have even denied that the person exists. You see a lot of people dressed like you at the wedding. You also see people who are dressed beautifully and are clean. The groom comes up to you and asked you to clean yourself, and get new clothes, but you just run away, getting more muddy and torn. You suddenly find yourself burning in a fire. The people dressed nicely are having a great time. The people dressed like you are also burning, and you realize you are in hell.
We are all born unclean and we sin, and get dirtier and dirtier. God gives us a chance to be clean by sending his son to die on the cross. His son was perfect. If you don't become clean by him then you will go to hell.
2007-11-20 18:29:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The "Loving God" is a new "God", only after "Jesus" died was there a loving god, before "Jesus" died "God" was vindictive, cruel, and Spiteful. Not only is it petty to condemn someone to hell for not believing in something that has no tangible evidence but for eternity in hell... and with hell come torture for eternity... very petty.
2007-11-20 18:25:15 · answer #5 · answered by Hugh G. Rection 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
because God is telling you to believe in Him and you are disobeying. that is the reason we are on Earth, to confess to God that we believe in Him. If you think about it, it is such an easy thing to do to get into Heaven; believe in God and Jesus.
2007-11-20 18:21:28 · answer #6 · answered by a 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Your eternity is determined by your acceptance or rejection of Him, choose Life.
2007-11-20 18:50:21 · answer #7 · answered by Not perfect, just forgiven 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hell is not created for humans, but for the satan and his followers.
If one do not believe in God and in His work of redemption for the sinners on the cross, then he / she is not the Believer / Follower of God, but Satan.
"God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell" (1 Peter)
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you ll be saved.
2007-11-20 18:42:37 · answer #8 · answered by John 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do you think a murderer or rapest should go free. You live by the law, or you get punished. Works both ways, for God and human laws. Only difference is, when you obey human laws, you live peacefully with no worries of being interfered with. When you obey God's laws, He will reward you with Heaven.
2007-11-20 18:16:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
His standards are not your standards.
To stand in the presence of a Holy and righteous God, one can not simply be a "good" person.
There is a vast difference in the God you want and the God who is.
2007-11-20 18:14:06 · answer #10 · answered by Salvation is a gift, Eph 2:8-9 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Sounds like you already know the deal. He gave you free will. Where you end up later is your choice.
2007-11-20 18:40:58 · answer #11 · answered by Little Red Hen 2.0 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋