The psalmist wrote what we know as psalm 14 back in the 6th century BC during the Jewish exile in Babylon. I should say, the psalm, according to scholars, was preserved in writing at that time. Originally, the psalm was composed by King David four centuries earlier. The first line of psalm 14 says …
Psalms 14:1 (NIV)
For the director of music. Of David.
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."
And we also know that Jesus Christ is God incarnate (that is, in the flesh) …
Philippians 2:6 (NIV)
“Who, being in very nature God, …”
John 1:1 (NIV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … 14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.”
And Jesus, who is God, spoke more often about hell than He ever spoke about heaven. No less than 46 times did Jesus speak about the eternal, final and terrifying reality of hell. So, the fool who says in his or her heart, “there is no God”, is the same fool who says, “there is no hell”. And, I am sure you’ve heard some Christians even say something like, “A loving God would never send anyone to hell” – I actually had a Christian say that to me recently. This is utter foolishness. The next leap of unbelief (not faith) exercised by many Christians is to then hypothesise that if a loving God wouldn’t send anyone to hell, then, there can be no hell because, well, what’s the point? This, too, of course, is utter foolishness. To drive that hypothesis even further, everyone is going to end up in heaven, or heaven isn’t real either. This, too, is foolishness when we consider that Jesus (who is God) said, not everyone will end up in heaven.
Matthew 7:21 (NIV)
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.”
If hell is not real, why did Jesus issue so many dire warnings about it, and about living in such a way as to not end up there?
Hell is real.
Here are two of the direst warnings Jesus pronounced about the reality of hell.
Matthew 18:6 (NIV)
"If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in Me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
And, Jesus was not just speaking of drowning as the consequence here!
Luke 12:4-5 (NLT)
“Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, He’s the one to fear.”
There it is. So why do so many Christians (as well as non-believers) refuse to believe that hell is real? Well, I have a basic theory, but I am sure there’s more than one reason. I believe that the main reason is that Christians have developed their preferred view or picture of God that is unbiblical. A view that God’s love is divorced from His holiness and righteous justice. Yet these same believers are grateful for their salvation. This is just illogical on several levels. Many believers have constructed a God to worship that has saved them from their sins but will eventually welcome everyone into heaven anyway – regardless of how they live. Only a fool could happily accept that logic. Jesus, again, makes it very clear.
John 3:35-36 (NLT)
“The Father loves His Son and has put everything into His hands. 36 And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”
Matthew 25:41 (NLT)
“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.
It’s not hard to see, is it? But many don’t want to accept the truth about hell so that they can live their preferred lifestyle without honouring their Saviour. This mocks God.
We are living in a day where so many Christians are distracted, are unfocused, and are disinterested in their own discipleship journey. This is foolishness. It is foolishness to think that this does not matter, and that we will not be answerable for the way we have stewarded our redemption. We will all give an account one day. Many believers are caught up in so much flesh-soulish behaviours and lifestyles that they have desensitised their sanctified spirit and have become unaware of the danger of their heading towards hell.
Why is this on my heart of late? Because I see so many Christians taking huge risks that are putting their faith in peril. I am serious. Jesus was not speaking about hell to simply scare people into compliance with God’s rules. No! He was continually making the point and warning us that sinful, soulish complacency will inevitably land anyone in hell – believer or unbeliever. It's time for the people of God to repent and take seriously their salvation and its holy purpose. Pastors and elders, too, need to challenge, admonish and rebuke immoral behaviour, soulishness and unrighteousness wherever they see it – there are eternal consequences otherwise. Jesus, once more …
Matthew 5:29-30 (NLT)
[Jesus]“So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”
You get the picture – a full inventory of body parts driven by soulishness and sin is envisioned here! I take my calling as a pastor seriously. I love the people of God, but some are heading for hell as I write this. And so, I issue a dire warning today …
Jude 1:20-23 (NLT)
“But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. 22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.”
Time is short. Hell is real. Don’t be a fool. Repent while you can.
Ps Milton