The Rest of My Story

I recently shared why I post so much about God on social media. If you remember, I almost met Him face-to-face due to a defect in my heart that was surgically repaired in 1986. Facing death really drove home the other reason I write about God so much, and it’s not a fun discussion to have among my fellow finite beings.

Can you give me a few minutes of your time? If I had something to warn you about and didn’t say anything, you’d be pretty upset, right? Dying without faith in the Son of God will put you in a place you don’t want to be. Of course, I’m talking about hell.

Believe me when I tell you that even Christians don’t like talking about hell. But it’s real, and a place of eternal torment. I don’t want you anywhere near that place when you’ve got Heaven as a possibility, free of pain, fear, tears, and torment. First Corinthians 2:9 says, “But as it is written: Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has entered into the hearts of men these things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

You cannot imagine the joy waiting for us with God in Heaven. And no, we aren’t sitting around on clouds, strumming harps, and staring at God for eternity. But that’s a separate discussion here.

I’ve heard the question from non-Christians for years: “If God is so loving, why does He send people to Hell?”

The short answer is, He doesn’t. Here’s the thing. Culture likes to talk about God as loving and merciful, which He is. But he’s also Holy and Just. God does not sin, and He doesn’t allow it in His presence. Sin must be punished. But this is the kicker: Because God IS merciful and loving, He took the punishment for us! He took it for you and me!

But people can choose to reject God’s gift and consign themselves to eternal punishment. That’s what I want to help you avoid at all costs, but the choice is yours.

I don't like talking about it, but this is what awaits those who die without the forgiveness offered by Jesus.

The Greek word “Gehenna” is the one used by Jesus the most to describe hell. It is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew Ge-Hinnom (Valley of Hinnom), a location outside Jerusalem associated with (constantly) burning garbage and past child sacrifice.

Despite what you may hear from Christian influencers on YouTube these days, including a very famous former child TV sitcom star, the Bible teaches that your existence doesn’t simply end at death if you don’t receive the Lord Jesus as your Savior. You will continue on forever, either in the presence of God or in a place of never-ending punishment.

Jesus Himself said there’s a place of eternal punishment for non-believers. Remember His sermon about avoiding sin at all costs in Mark, Chapter 9? Verse 43 says, “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into eternal life maimed, rather than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched, where their worm (decay and corruption) doesn’t die, and the fires are never quenched.”

Remember the story of Lazarus and the rich man that Jesus told in Luke? Verse 22 picks up the story with, “So it was that the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torment in Hades, the rich man lifted his eyes and saw Abraham and Lazarus afar off.”

It’s a terrifying place of continuous punishment, where the fire never goes out. It’s eternal torment, agony, and separation from God in Heaven.

I cannot say this enough: God does NOT want you or anyone else in hell. Second Peter 3:9 says it best: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise (of returning), as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that ANY should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance and faith.”

This is why hell doesn't have to be in your future. He took your place and mine so that we can live with God forever.

It’s because He’s holy and just that He must punish our sin. It’s because He’s loving and merciful that He sent Jesus to pay the penalty for our sin. Who wouldn’t want to live in the love and forgiveness of God Himself? It’s a free gift we don’t have to earn. That’s the definition of a gift.

We are all going to leave this life someday. Death is a scary topic. Believe me when I tell you I know firsthand how frightening it is to confront your mortality. I lived it. But it doesn’t have to be scary. God wants you with Him, safe and loved forever. He doesn’t want you in eternal punishment, and He took a drastic step to prove it! Easter weekend proves it is beyond all doubt! Jesus is waiting!