I had more intense doubts this week, than I  have ever  had before.  They were about hell.  I believe the bible paints a picture of a place of eternal torment, a place where unbelievers will be separated from God forever.  I'm not doubting the bible, it just made me upset at God for a while.  Biblically I believe in hell and emotionally I hate it.  I wouldn't describe myself as over it yet, but I want to share a few lessons I"ve learned.

1.  People are naturally rebellious towards God.  Our hearts are bent towards evil.  We do not naturally seek God.  Even with God giving me a new heart, I understand this very well.  We assume people are basically good.  God knows we're rebellious.  Since I assume people are good then I guess I assume people for the most part deserve heaven.  Excluding some monsters like child molesters, serial killers and Cubs fans.  By doing that, I think God is being unfair by sending people to Hell.  It is more accurate to believe that I have offended a Holy sinless God and deserve hell.  God by his grace rescued me from it.  Thinking this way doesn't satisfy me completely emotionally, but it does make me thankful.  We deserve Hell because our actions show that we hate God.  Don't kid yourselves.

2.  Hell is biblical.  This doesn't calm my emotions either, but it's true.  God's word is true and it speaks of hell regularly. My feelings must be brought into check by God's word.

3.  God knows better.  My doubts needed to be quieted by God's word.  Read Romans 9, it's probably the hardest chapter in the bible to stomach.  Paul is describing that God saves those whom He wills.  Paul understands that from this will spring some tough questions.  People will say, if God chooses then how is that fair?  The ones going to hell never had a chance. I said those thing this week.  How does God answer those sincere questions?  vs 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God?  Will what is molded say to its molder, Why have you made me like this?  This would have been a great opportunity for God to explain himself.  Instead, he lets us know he's in charge.  That's hard for me to swallow.  That's hard for me to do, but I trust that God is good.  Am I going to continue to doubt and be in anguish or am I going to recognize that I'm just clay and he's the master potter?

4.  A belief in Hell should compel us to evangelize.  Ideally, so would the joys of heaven.  Since, so many of us think we deserve heaven, that isn't that great to motivate.  I really screamed at God, shed tears, and told God I didn't want to leave Him this week.  Hell is horrible.  The thing is, if I believe that, I must tell people about Jesus.  You are in rebellion towards God.  You must be reconciled by the blood of Jesus Christ.  I implore you to follow Jesus. 

I still don't get it.  My heart is in anguish for those of you that will go to hell, but my trust is in Jesus.  Christians, shame on you for glibly speaking of hell.  Shame on me.  Speak of hell with a tear in your eye.  Do not pronounce judgement in the same manner you order a Big Mac.  In Gen 19 angels physically grabbed Lot and his family and rescued them from destruction.  What will you do?

Jude 22 And have mercy on those who doubt, 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire, to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.