Why don’t I like thinking about Hell
I don't want to be a joy-kill to my friends & co-workers. But really, if what Jesus said is true, then what will be the bigger joy-kill, lovingly challenging people's worldviews, or them spending an eternity in torture?
I don't want to dwell on the negative. I really don't. There are enough good and uplifting things to talk about, why dwell on the unpleasant? What will be more unpleasant, having people not like me because I believe something that they reject or knowing that I said nothing when someone was heading toward eternal pain?
People don't care. Right now they may not, but on the day when they're face to face with God and are held accountable for everything they've done and on top of that reject Jesus' offer to pay their penalty for them, they'll care.
In the context of love and a willingness to take questions and explain Jesus' message of love and justice, hell just might be a topic worth dwelling on. Charles Spurgeon, sometimes called the "prince of preachers", said:
"If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for."
July 27th, 2011 - 17:00
I just had to read a booklet from a friend about how there is no hell and that God’s will is stronger than man’s. I consider it a sneak attack by the enemy, the end fruit of this belief is an end to evangelism, an end to God’s word going out because, really what’s the point. I love your quote by Spurgeon.
July 28th, 2011 - 00:14
Adam, check out my latest post on notourhome.com. Preached on this this weekend.
Andy, great thoughts here. Thanks for posting them.