Intermission: HELL

Introduction

Oh yes, there's that word hell. Something some churches have removed to be more relevant is still just as relevant either way. Jesus Christ spoke on hell more than anyone else in the New Testament, such as in Matt 5:22, 7:23, 8:12, and others beyond the book of Matthew. It's quite clear to me that hell is a very real thing. So what is hell?

Hell and Unheard Ofs

Hell is the destination for those who reject God and the salvation offered through Christ's sacrifice. Separation and eternal torment are details of hell. Why would God, all-loving and perfectly just, send people to hell? Even if they choose to reject Him, what about others? This is a question I was asked this evening by a  friend of mine. Until now I had not taken it too seriously. After all, I just knew God meats out justice and knows what He's doing. But I never asked why, until tonight.

Specifically, I speak of others who have not or could not in their lifetime hear the Gospel. Secluded tribes, those who lived before Christ's resurrection, and anyone else who falls into this category would be damned, right? Not so. Let's look at Romans 2:1-16.

Here Paul begins talking about passing judgment. Those who judge but commit the same sin they judge will feel the wrath of God (verse 3). He then continues into God's judgment to those who are righteous and those who are wicked (verses 5 through 11). While no less important, many have already heard this in some such form. Stick with me here.

Look at verses 12 through 16. Those who obey God's Law will be justified, but those who don't will not. Verse 12 says those who have sinned without the law will perish without it. Not looking good yet, is it? Let's look closely at verse 14 through 16:

14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 16 on the day when,according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.

It's clear here that those without the Law will be judged by Jesus Christ, through what is written on their hearts and consciences so long as their work is of the Law, even if they do not explicitly know of it. Recall in Matthew 22:36-38 Christ commands us to love God with all of our heart, mind, and soul. So long as those without the Gospel follow this, Jesus will judge them according to it and their actions.

To clarify, it seems that even if there are those who do not know God explicitly, they can still be saved if Christ judges them so. I do not claim to know how lenient this is. Will any believer of a deity with some attributes of God be saved? Or is it more specific? I don't know. Maybe it's just that gut feeling that there is One who rules over all. Whatever the case, God has a plan for them. He is perfectly just after all.

Conclusion

In closing, it is important that I remind my fellow Christians that we remain salt and light and continue missionary work. We can't suddenly slack off. After all, such delinquency could lead to blood on our hands, in soulish terms. We should not become lazy and deny others the joys of Christ's gift, let alone shirk our responsibilities!

Like, comment, share, read to others, read to your plants, just get this message out! I could not find such a write-up as this on the internet, yet many ask about hell and those who haven't heard the Gospel! Blessings, Lu.