I Love You Too Much Not to Warn You (or to care what you think about this blog)

The question of whether a loving God would send anyone to hell is a stumbling block for many. It's a question Christians are often asked of their faith. If our God is love, why would He condemn any to a lake of fire? The conclusion of those who do not have a personal relationship with God is that either there is no God or that He is mean and vindictive.

God IS love. No, He isn't willing that any should perish (II Peter 3:9  "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."). Why else would He send His only son to die for us? He has pulled out all the stops to prevent those He loves from going to the place created for the devil and his demons. Those that end up in hell choose to ignore His gift., His exit strategy, His sacrifice, His love. They choose to go their own way. They are there by choice. This is the downside of free will: the freedom to make the wrongchoice.

Some Christians don't believe that there is a literal hell, that all the references in the Bible are figurative.  However, if you take the literal hell out if the equation, the whole theology of Christianity collapses. If there is no hell, why is there a death? Death is decay brought on by sin. If there is no hell, what is the point of death? Why shouldn't we go on living forever, or be raised to heaven, one and all? And if there is no hell or death, there is no consequences for sin. And if there is no consequences for sin, is there sin at all? If there are no consequences, how do you tell right from wrong? If there is no consequence, couldn't we live however we want and do what we want.? If there is no sin, why did Jesus die? If there is no hell, no sin, why would he have to die? If there is no consequences, no death, then he couldn't die. This destroys the whole crux of our faith. If Christ didn't die for our sins, why are we here?  If he didn't die for our sins, we should stop right now.  We have no hope.  We should pack it in and go home.  If he didn't die for us, then the Bible is a lie and we shouldn't trust any of it.  But, the good news is that he DID die to pay the debt against us.

When I was in high school, a classmate constantly ridiculed me for my faith and teased me about worshiping Satan. Before we were even upperclassmen, he was shot and killed accidentally. It broke my heart, thinking of his rejection of Jesus' gift of salvation.  A not so close family member died around the age of 40 from hard living. Although I hadn't been close to her, the funeral left me broken and weeping. The striking aspect of the funeral was the complete lack of hope. The wailing and sobbing was poignant, a stark contrast to the funerals of those who trust in Christ. One of the worst experiences with death I have ever had, if dwelt on for too long, reduces me to panic attacks because of the heartbreak it represents. My former father-in-law thought he had plenty of time. He said he'd make things right with God eventually, but for the present time, he wanted to live the way he wanted to live. He died a couple of weeks after he told me this, at the age of 40.  I loved him very much and it still breaks my heart to think of him in hell.  But, that was his choice.  His choice was to reject the Savior.

Please don't make the same mistakes that these made.  You don't know how much time you have.  Don't wait.  Waiting is saying no.

I am reminded of a couple of songs, whose authors are much more eloquent than I:

Thorns on his head
A spear in his side
Yet it was a heartache that made him cry
He gave his life
So you'd understand
Is there any way you could say no to this man?
If Christ himself was standing here
Face full of glory and eyes full of tears
And he held out his arms
And his nail-printed hands
Is there any way you could say no to this man?
How could you look in his tear-stained eyes
Knowing it's you he's thinking of?
Could you tell him you're not ready to give him your life?
Could you say you don't think you need his love?
Jesus is here with his arms open wide
You could see him with your heart
If you'd stop looking with your eyes
He's left it up to you
He's done all he can
Is there any way you could say no to this man?

What if you're right?
And he was just another nice guy
What if you're right?
What if it's true?
They say the cross will only make a fool of you
And what if it's true?

What if he takes his place in history
With all the prophets and the kings
Who taught us love and came in peace
But then the story ends?
What then?

But what if you're wrong?
What if there's more?
What if there's hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He's more than enough?
What if it's love?

What if you dig
Way down deeper than your simple-minded friends?
What if you dig?
What if you find
A thousand more unanswered questions down inside?
That's all you find

What if you pick apart the logic
And begin to poke the holes?
What if the crown of thorns is no more
Than folklore that must be told and retold?

But what if you're wrong?
What if there's more?
What if there's hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He's more than enough?
What if it's love?

You've been running as fast as you can
You've been looking for a place you can land for so long
But what if you're wrong?


I am reminded of an article that I read online not that long ago.  An atheist said that if we as Christians truly believe what we say we believe, then we should be out there telling people, regardless of what they may think of us.  He said he respects someone who believes they have hope and the answer, sharing it with others.  If I had the cure for cancer, what benefit would it be if I kept it to myself?  How selfish!  What I have is infinitely more precious and necessary.  What I have written may offend you, but if I truly believe it (and I do) and if I truly love you, then I can't walk on eggshells. There's no time to be politically correct.