Articles
Hell. What to Do About it.
Hell. It’s not a comfortable topic, but a necessary one. So far I have shown that that Hell is real, eternal, and awful. (Matthew 25:46, John 5:29). I have also noted that Hell is a created place that Jesus made. Jesus built it to punish the Devil, his angels, and all who are self-seeking and do not obey the Truth (Romans 2:5-11.) So, what are we supposed to do with this information? Let’s talk about it.
Everyone should pay attention to the warnings about Hell: Hell is not a scare tactic, it’s a terrible reality. Jesus had no qualms about preaching on eternal punishment, most notably in passages like Matthew 5:21-26, Matthew 8:12, and Matthew 13:41-42. God instructs us about Hell not to simply scare us but to warn us about our choices in life. These are warnings, not unlike the signs at the Grand Canyon warning hikers about falling over the side of the cliff. Strangely, some people insist on ignoring the signs and they suffer the effects. So, whoever you are (whether you are thinking about first obeying the Gospel or are a long-time Christian) do not ignore the warning signs about Hell. God loves you and does not want you to go there but rather be in relationship with Him forever in heaven.
Evangelize the lost: Since the Bible warns of a place of eternal torment reserved for those who reject God's love and grace, it tracks that we prioritize evangelizing the lost. Hell is real. Your friends and family members will stand before Jesus and be judged. He will either say to them “Well done, good and faithful” or “Depart from Me, I never knew you.” What outcome do you want for your loved ones? The reality of hell and the judgment to come is a good motive to evangelize the lost.
Fear God, the authority over Hell: Finally, Jesus tells us in Luke 12:4–5:
“I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!
Jesus contrasts the worst a person can do to you with what God can do. When humans unleash their punishment, the limit is death. That’s it. But God can do more. God can kill and then throw us into Hell. This is about the judgment of man vs the judgment of God. So, Jesus tells us as His “friends,” to fear God because He has the authority to punish the unfaithful after they die. God loves us and does not wish that any perish, but He has the power and authority to cast people into Hell. So, fear God, and be faithful unto death.
-Scott
