Friday
Throughout this week, we have been examining what Jesus had to say about the reality of hell through the story He told about the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16. While the story is fascinating, the reality that it describes is very sobering (or at least it should be if we take it seriously). The truth is that Jesus had quite a lot to say about hell and what He tells us is the frightening truth. I believe that Jesus loves us enough to tell us the truth.
Matthew 10:28 - Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 25:41 - “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Mark 9:47-48 - And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where“‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’
Matthew 13:41-42 - The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
I think the primary objection to hell by so many today has to with the belief that an actual literal hell is simply unjust and unloving. If (they reason) God is just and loving, how could He possibly allow such a place to exist?
Liberal theologian and author Sharon L. Baker has written, “Our traditional views of hell as a place of eternal punishment where unbelievers dwell in undying flames contradict the image of God as merciful, forgiving, and compassionate.”
The Question – Does the existence of hell make God unloving or unjust?
The Answer – No. Actually, the Biblical doctrine of hell strengthens our belief that God is just and it deepens our understanding of His love.
Croatian theologian Miroslav Volf was a first hand witness to the cycle of generational ethnic violence in the Balkans. He contends that such violence was fueled NOT by a belief in a God of judgment, but by a lack of belief in a God of judgment.
If God were not angry at injustice and deception and did not make a final end to violence—that God would not be worthy of worship…. The only means of prohibiting all recourse to violence by ourselves is to insist that judgment is legitimate only when it comes from God… My thesis that the practice of non-violence requires a belief in divine vengeance will be unpopular with many…particularly in the West…. [But] it takes the quiet of a suburban home for the birth of the thesis that human nonviolence corresponds to God's refusal to judge. In a sorched land, soaked in the blood of the innocent, it will invariably die. And as one watches it die, one will do well to reflect about many other pleasant captivities of the liberal mind. - Miroslav Volf, Exclusion and Embrace
When the human heart cries out for justice, it is the uniquely Christian conviction that there is a God, and that He will ultimately judge the world and set everything right, that can give true comfort and peace.
But how does believing in hell help us experience the love of God?
Good question. The answer has everything to do with the Cross.
How do you determine the depth of a persons love for someone? Anyone can declare that they love someone, how do you know? “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) You know by the price they are willing to pay and the sacrifice they are willing to make for that person.
Have you ever stopped to consider what was really going on when Jesus cried out from the cross, “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” What was happening in that moment? Have you ever wondered why in the Apostle’s Creed we say that Jesus descended into hell? What actually happened on Calvary? What did Jesus really accomplish on the cross?
You do not know the depth of the love of God until you know the depth of the price He was willing to pay for you. God does not love us in some sentimental abstract kind of way. God does not make His love known to us simply by telling us. God’s love is incredibly real and extremely costly (to Him). God’s love is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ, who suffered the fire, agony and torment of hell that our sins deserve! He took our place so that we might be brought into the love of the Father!
Jeff Frazier
Posts
2 comments:
So, if I understand this correctly, God's JUSTICE means there must be a Hell (to repay all the injustices in the world, which were done at the hands of unbelievers?). And his LOVE allowed a way for us to not have to go to the Hell - through Faith in Jesus, who went there for us. Your point about non-violence policies on earth requiring that we believe in a just God... that's a little confusing. But I think it means that when we see awfulness in this world, it should not make us think that God doesn't exist. Rather, it is our faith in GOD (and the knowledge that Hell exists) that allows us to NOT be required to avenge those wrongs - to leave it in God's hands (we can STOP the atrocities, within our means, but we should not take revenge). Hell plays a key role in God's love...hmmm.
Dear Anonymous,
Yes, the evil and injustices of the world (done at the hands of all people) will ultimately be judged and punished by God. This punishment will either fall on us (the deserving ones) or on Jesus (the undeserving One).
The point about non-violence policies on earth was really not mine, I was quoting Miroslav Volf in order to show that a God who does not punish injustice is not worthy of worship.
Yes, hell plays an important role in understanding God's love because it shows us the price He was willing to pay in order to redeem us!
God's Holiness cannot tolerate sin. We are sinful.
God's Justice requires judgment and punishment of all sin.
God's Love desires a relationship with us.
God's Mercy & Grace make that possible through His own self-sacrifice!
Post a Comment