Does God cause anyone to go to Hell? - 10th May 2007

Many ask the question “how can a loving God contemplate causing anybody to suffer eternity in Hell?”

Atheists say “You say God is love, but I as a mere human would not cause anyone to suffer for eternity, but that would mean that I was more loving than God – so therefore there can’t be a God.”

As we saw yesterday, whilst Justice demands punishment, God has taken the sentence for anyone whose heart truly repents of what they have done.

"As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. John 12:47

God does not condemn anyone. The choice is with the individual. If your heart chooses evil, then justice will be fulfilled. If your heart chooses good then justice has already been fulfilled.

God doesn’t cause anyone to suffer eternity in Hell, but maybe he permits it. Some Christians think those who choose evil may just die rather than suffer for eternity (annihilationism); but whether it’s true or not doesn’t depend on whether we believe it. What’s true is true. It’s not something I’d like to gamble on!

Do you have a friend for whom this is an obstacle? Take the time to listen to them.

Maybe you could share from this verse: “God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.”John 3:17 (Message Translation)

But remind them that the choice is with the individual - "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." John 8:11

Ask them, what do they choose?

God bless