This is post is part of a series of replies. If you landed here first, please see the intro post here.
Ron wrote: As someone who believes the Bible is true, I also believe there is a hell awaiting for those who are “not good enough” to go to heaven. And I don’t want you are anyone else to go there.
Do you believe God loves all of his creation?
Yes, God does love his people. John 3:16, Rom 5:8
Also, do you believe that he will send those who are “not good enough” to hell for all eternity?
Jesus did. And so do I, Yes. God is Holy and just. A just God must punish sin/lawlessness. The place for those who have not repented and put their faith in Christ’s life, death and resurrection is commonly called Hell.
If you answer yes to both questions, how can you reconcile that, when you yourself, a mere mortal, have enough love inside you to not wish such a horrible fate on anyone?
Thank you for the compliment, however, any good inside of me is the work of God within me. Believe me there’s a side of me that would like to see some folks tossed in a lake of fire for all time. However, the Bible teaches this is not how God is most glorified. God is most glorified when sinners repent and put their trust in His Son for forgiveness.
Don’t take this the wrong way, but asking this question tells me you don’t understand how pure, how holy God is. We all have the tenancy to justify or excuse our own sins. But Jesus taught that hatred was murder of the heart and lust was adultery of the heart. The bible clearly teaches “all have sinned” and fall short of the Glory of God. There is none righteous.
If a child rapist and murderer got away with his crime, lived a long life only to die in his sleep are you saying that you wouldn’t want justice to await him? Of course you would. Especially if it was someone you know. If a holy God will punish murderers, will he not punish thieves, wife-beaters, liars, hypocrites, etc?
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)