Hell. Do you care?
My church has been having interesting dialogues recently about what we believe. It has been sad to see how far we have drifted from our foundation. But it has caused me – and I believe others – to really think about what we believe and why. We have had a number of “town hall” type meetings where discussion was lively. One of them sticks out in my mind. One of the denominational leaders told us that “Allah” is just another name for God. Another leader in the denomination said he didn’t think God would send anyone to Hell. Personally he believed in a Hell but he wasn’t clear about God condemning people there for all of eternity.
Both of these men are good men. They are educated. They want to serve God. But they are dead wrong. The name of God is NOT “Allah”. It is Yahweh. It is Holy. Majestic. Mighty. Pure. Strong. Powerful. And nothing to fool around with. God guards His name. He is a jealous God and He wants His people to stand in awe of Him.
I have been reading through the Old Testament this year and the Israelites learned to fear the name of God. It was in God’s name that Moses parted the Red Sea. It was in God’s name that the walls of Jericho fell. It was in His name that Elijah called down fire from heaven. It was in His name the lame walked. It was in His name that the blind man could see. His name is also, precious to
those who know and love Him. We dare not trifle with His name.
Hell is real. Or at least Jesus thought so. And He ought to know. I began to think about Hell after this man said what he did. Granted, I didn’t dwell on it but it was more on my mind than it had been. I don’t like the idea of Hell and I don’t like the idea of anyone going there. But just because I don’t like it doesn’t mean it isn’t very real. It would be pretty to think God wouldn’t send anyone to hell. But God’s ways are not always pretty. Ask those who lived in Sodom.
What is pretty is that we don’t have to go to Hell. We choose to – this side of eternity.
I believe in Hell. I say I do. I believe there is such a state as a Christless eternity and without Him, it is Hell. But do I really believe that? When I fail to tell others about Jesus, I am saying I don’t really believe in Hell. When I sit beside someone on the plane and don’t tell them about Jesus I am really saying that I don’t really believe in a Christless eternity. Or I don’t care that this person next to me will really spend eternity in Hell.
We are all eternal beings. And having Christ as my Savior means I will spend all of eternity with Him. But the person next to me will not just die and be no more,cease to exist – they exist for all of eternity. In Hell.
Sobering, isn’t it. Think about it.
I’m patting my foot and my spirit is saying, “Amen!” I pray that the denominational leaders felt your loving concern about their comments and perhaps will seek – for they will find.
I doubt they read my blog!!
Now thats a “Heavy Revy!” In modern terms, a Heavy Revelation! My pastor taught on something like this on Sunday! I believe in hell as well, but its been a long time that I’ve heard a pastor preach on it! It’s sad, the church of today is becoming the church of fun & games, entertainment. So many are the church of apostasy, we are in our end times, I strongly believe and the Bible teaches of the great apostasy and I believe it is happening today! Preaching on hell is not a subject one wants to hear about today, but we must, we have too many loved ones that are heading in that direction! I don’t want to spend eternity without them!
And I echo an “Amen!” Thank you for speaking Truth!
Thank you Ruth for “speaking TRUTH”!!! It truly is amazing what happens when you open up dialog on issues that you would think would line up with the Word of God especially with denominational leaders who are saying they are “Christians”… very scary… and very end times… God bless you and thank you for standing on God’s word and sharing it in love…
Very convicting! Thank you for the challenge. It was so good to meet you in San Diego last week. I told Don I had a wonderful conversation with the sweetest lady named Ruth, but I didn’t catch her last name. He replied, “Oh that’s Billy Graham’s daughter.” All the clues were there when we talked about Montreat and camp – I’m just a little slow. So as soon as I got home I signed up for your blog. Blessings to you, my sister, the short time I spent with you was a joy. I pray this winter is kinder to you (although I heard the forecast of snow for your state today).
Clap, clap, clap! Great post Mom!!!
Yes, extremely sobering.
There are messages coming out of Christendom today that are upside down and sideways–from the pulpit, to Bible mini-series’ on TV–add a bit of this to Scripture to incorporate a coolness factor, remove a bit of that so as not to offend… Never mind what The Bible says GOD says, we’ll determine who’s who and what’s what! Hell schmell.
In your community, leaders deny what the Bible teaches about hell and Who God is, in mine, parishioners slouch into church in slippers and jammies–hair tousled, slurping coffee and frapachinos–live-in lovers and dogs in tow.
“Don’t judge, God is love. Love doesn’t send people to hell; hell’s allegorical. God’s anything you want him to be… for that matter, YOU are god! Come just as you are and stay there. No need to change. It’s all good.” Says the perverted gospel of humanity.
Yes, it’s very sobering. Hell is real and apart from Christ, people will go there. Forever.
Hey, if they are in church… I am not concerned about their attire as much as I am what they are being taught. I have some in my family that come in torn jeans, earrings and a bad attitude. But they are in God’s house and He loves them. Jesus accepted all kinds – even thoe the religious folks frowned upon. Especially those. It’s the heart He is after – not the appearance.
Yes! I agree with you completely!
I didn’t mean to sound judgmental about the surface stuff at all, rather I wanted to comment on the messages being taught in some churches that are contrary to Scripture, such as there being no hell, as you mentioned, or the message of an inferior love that draws people with promise, but leaves them, just as they are, in their sin. (Who cares if they’re wearing their PJ’s!?) Offering no hope of salvation, these messengers don’t believe salvation is necessary. That’s where the, “Its all good” comes in.
So sorry for the confusion!
I love your heart.
Thank you, Ruth!
I was about to ask you to pull my comment, fearful that I didn’t explain myself well and that my comments might hurt someone.
The truth is, I’d wear my jammies and fluffy robe to church, if I thought I could get away with it!
Great article, Ruth. It is so sad to see the rapid flight away from the Word of God.
Dale
Well said…these are things I have thought about also! Hell is real and as much as I don’t like to dwell on it, I also don’t want anyone going there….but they will. I also have thought how hard it would be for Jesus to look at someone he loved and say I know you not…sometimes my reasoning for sharing is to save Jesus from having to say to another…I do not know you even more than not wanting another to go to Hell! Thank you Ruth for great words!
I’m with Windsor…more clapping…loud clapping…
I simply say AMEN to that; May the Holy spirit guards your heart!
Carline