Dealing with Hell

[preston08]

This is the most troublesome thing about Christianity. I can handle not sinning, and living a more 'boring' life than a non-Christian... but Hell really bothers me.

The more I think about it the worse I feel.

I know my fear is not a useless thing, as it will motivate me to stay outta there, and keep others from there too...

It's just so hard to deal with. So many people I know that are sinning all of the time...and I think that there is quite a chance that they not be with me in heaven.(I am sure as heck going to try my hardest to get there) But thinking of this is the worst feeling I know of.

How do you deal with it?

Thank you again everyone.

 

[seebs]

Welcome to the single most contentious issue in all of Christian theology.

 

[Arikereba]

It's just so hard to deal with. So many people I know that are sinning all of the time...and I think that there is quite a chance that they not be with me in heaven.(I am sure as heck going to try my hardest to get there) But thinking of this is the worst feeling I know of.

How do you deal with it?

I try to trust God to deal with everyone with His justice and mercy. I can't figure out a way to make everything work out so that it's right and fair; the view that God elects some people and the rest are just out of luck seems cruel to me, and the view that some people freely choose to accept God's grace and some don't seems barely any more fair--it's a rigged game. It's not free will when some people are so much more likely to hear the Gospel than others.

But God will figure things out in the end. God's way smarter than I am. (And nicer, too. )

 

[d0c markus]

do you trust God about your salvation. If so good! I think we all have thoughts of going to hell. My life has really changed since i became a christian. I may not sin very much, but i know that just 1 sin will send me to hell. Every time i do it i feel the grief of sin, i feel that i deserve to goto hell. But i know Jesus took my place, i know he died for every sin i have and will commit.

Stick with Jesus and you will be fine

 

[preston08]

You say that just one sin will send you to hell....

aren't all of us doomed for hell then?

oh yes, repentance.

You must repent your sins right? Does that just mean saying you are sorry to God and trying your best to not commit that sin again?

And also, do you have to say sorry for each individual sin? That would take a loooooooong time. I wouldn't be able to think of them all.

But actions speak louder than words right? So saying your sorry isn't enough because you have to try not to commit that sin again, correct?

 

[d0c markus]

Whats up with the sarcastic attack?

You say that just one sin will send you to hell....

yes thats correct.

aren't all of us doomed for hell then?

im sorry you dont like it.

oh yes, repentance.

Yep Repentance.

You must repent your sins right?

Yes i agree.

Does that just mean saying you are sorry to God and trying your best to not commit that sin again?

Somewhat. When Jesus said this is how you should pray, he demonstrated asking forgiveness as easy as this, and i quote the Lord.

MT 6:12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And yes you should try to not sin again, not to your glory but to the lord, who will give you the strength via the holy spirit.

And also, do you have to say sorry for each individual sin? That would take a loooooooong time. I wouldn't be able to think of them all.

See the above.

But actions speak louder than words right? So saying your sorry isn't enough because you have to try not to commit that sin again, correct?

Actions speak louder than words yes. Is not praying for forgiveness an action? Does speaking to the lord speak louder than speaking to me? Saying sorry and asking forgiveness is enough, but since anything we ask in the lords name he will give it, it might be prudent for you to pray about your sins. The ones you struggle with most.

That he will give you the strength to deny evil. Then when the Lord has given you the strength to avoid temptation your actions will speak louder than words, that is to say, whether you rejoice against sinning in the lord knowing that you do not have to do it. or to glorify him by standing with him. As the bible says, you will not be tempted beyond your control.

Do i sin?

Yes

Did i sin today?

Yep.

Did i pray for forgiveness because i feel guilty about sinning against my savior. Yes, why you ask? Because i dont make light my actions against God, if i do not pray for forgiveness whether or not I am saved, i belittle christ's horrific death on the cross and i cant stand that type of arrogance.

With Love Brother,
Mark


MT 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

 

[Duggie]

This is the most troublesome thing about Christianity. I can handle not sinning, and living a more 'boring' life than a non-Christian... but Hell really bothers me.

The more I think about it the worse I feel.

I know my fear is not a useless thing, as it will motivate me to stay outta there, and keep others from there too...

It's just so hard to deal with. So many people I know that are sinning all of the time...and I think that there is quite a chance that they not be with me in heaven.(I am sure as heck going to try my hardest to get there) But thinking of this is the worst feeling I know of.

How do you deal with it?

Thank you again everyone.

I can totally relate to what your saying!!! I have always had a problem with the reality of hell. I say reality because deep down no matter how much I want to deny the existence of hell, I know it's real.
Many people have said to me that as a father I would never throw my child into an oven if she no longer loved me. So therefore how can I serve a God who would condem His children to an eternity of pain and suffering in hell because they made a conscious decision to refuse to believe in Him.

When I hear people of God say "everyone who is born deserves to go to hell" I feel uncomfertable with such a statement. Did I ask to be born? Does the child who has been born in some war torn country, without parents, suffering from malnutrition and with no hope of any kind of a future deserve hell?

I don't know God's ways, nor do I always understand them, but I'm thankful that Christ died for my sins and that through Him we have an escape. The reality of hell keeps most believers on their toes. It in many cases scares people into believing in God. I'm not sure that's necessarily a good thing. I would rather believe in God because of the wonderful things He has done for me not because if I don't I'm hell bound. Peace!!!

 

[Svt4Him]

I don't think hell scares people straight, at least it didn't me. I realized my sin was against God, and was sorry for that. If it still sent me to hell, I think I would be sorry as well.

 

[faiththatbreathes]

I've had some trouble with that for a long time; I have trouble with it now. It does seem unfair: but how could it be any other way? Hell wasn't originally made for us:
Matthew 25:41
"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'" Hell wasn't created to punish us.
But God's perfect. When we sin, we can't be with perfection. He did the only thing He could do to save us, which was sacrifice Himself. That's the point of Christianity: all you have to do is accept His grace! There's nothing simpler. Of course you have to work at becoming more like Him; I sin, every day. But I know I won't go to Hell for it, because I try to repent and ask for forgiveness.
Yes, the thought that anyone who won't accept Christ as their substitute in judgment will go to Hell is an incredibly scary one. How many people do I know that make that list? It's horrible, but it's the only possible way. God is just AND loving. He gives the right sentence: death, but he gives mercy: the death of his Son, rather than ours. ^^ I'm thankful for it too! God knows *I* need it!!

 

[preston08]

The comments I made were not out of sarcasm. I was just typing and rememered the answer to my own question so I typed it....


What I said is quoted, and your replies are after.
No harm meant. I understand you thought I was making a sarcastic remark, while I was not. No problem, I should have been more clear.
This is what was written:


Whats up with the sarcastic attack?

Quote:
'You say that just one sin will send you to hell... '



yes thats correct.

Quote:
'aren't all of us doomed for hell then? '



im sorry you dont like it.

Quote:
'oh yes, repentance.'



Yep Repentance.

 

[d0c markus]

no prob, dude.. It came across that way.. anyways take care.

 

[ydouxist]

I witnessed to a kid many times over the years.

Several of his friends came to Christ but he refused. One Saturday afternoon I saw him walking
and thought Kenny will you ever learn?

The following day he hung himself. When I heard about I cried, Lord why didn't you have me talk to him?

The Lord said,"I did."then brought to my attention just how many times He tried to reach Kenny. It still brings tears to my eyes when I think about it.

Whenever I feel lead to witness Lord, help me remember Kenny

 

[Rafael]

I don't think hell scares people straight, at least it didn't me. I realized my sin was against God, and was sorry for that. If it still sent me to hell, I think I would be sorry as well.

I really have to agree with this. Hell didn't scare me a bit from sinning. It was when I realized a sense of what sin does to me and did to Jesus, and then the love that has grown between us that motivates me now. It is He living inside of me that keeps me from sin. As far as hell goes, it is hard to imagine, and there must be a reason for such a place or God would not have made it. I think there are deeper things than we know of that are privy only to the mind of God, and we should leave them there and think upon those things that He gives us in Philippians. When they can filter through this verse, then they are benefitial to us. Fear just wasn't a strong enough factor to motivate me to any need for righteousness. I hungered for righteousness because of the death I see as a result of sin, and the eyes God must have given me to see those things.
I have to say, too, that a Christian life is far from boring when met for the challenge it truly is. Trusting God and learning more to grow in faith to do the things He tells us to do is a full day for me. With so much poverty, homelessness, nakedness, ignorance, and evil in this world that bleeds day and night, we have burdens that require all the faith and action we can do or think of.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 

[seangoh]

hmm...i don't think hell scares me. The greater worry is for me to miss out on heaven and its enjoyment. So it's either i get to heaven or not, not whether i go to heaven or hell.

 

[preston08]

I agree with what is being said. All I think of hell as is 'not with God'.

My cousin broke it down to something that made a lot of sense to me. There are two rooms...and if you end up in the room on the right, you will be with God. If you end up in the other room, no matter what is in it, God is not there. That is the true punishment. Seeing the glory of God and never being with Him.

Forget about burning, or being whipped, or beaten for eternity (just some of the theories)... none of that pain would come close to the pain of knowing how great God is, but that you could never be with him.

That is just my opinion.

 

[G4m]

I agree with what is being said. All I think of hell as is 'not with God'.

My cousin broke it down to something that made a lot of sense to me. There are two rooms...and if you end up in the room on the right, you will be with God. If you end up in the other room, no matter what is in it, God is not there. That is the true punishment. Seeing the glory of God and never being with Him.

Forget about burning, or being whipped, or beaten for eternity (just some of the theories)... none of that pain would come close to the pain of knowing how great God is, but that you could never be with him.

That is just my opinion.

1 John 4
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Preston08, when does God end?

 

[Holyjoe]

I am sure as heck going to try my hardest to get there)

nothing you do as in deeds or works will get you to heaven...and its not what you do that gets you to hell either...

 

[Svt4Him]

The other thing is there are different 'levels' of heaven, as there are different 'levels' of hell.

 

[Rafael]

The other thing is there are different 'levels' of heaven, as there are different 'levels' of hell.

Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

Mark 12:40 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

Luke 20:47 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation

 

[preston08]

1 John 4
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Preston08, when does God end?

When and where did I say God ended?

I said 'end up with'.