Is it fair?

[PuppyforChrist]

I was just curious as to what you all thought about this.

Do you guys think it is fair that even good non-Christians will still be sent to Hell after they die?

To explain, I have a couple friends who are non-Christians, one of them is my best friend. She is the sweetest girl I've ever known and always trys to do the right thing. She's kind to others, and seems to always know what to do and say to someone who is having a problem. There have been times when I call her my guardian angel, because she always knows how to help me when I'm down and out. She's a wonderful girl.

However, she is not a Christian.

What do I think? Is it fair that she will be sent to Hell even though she is such a sweet and caring person? Well, yes and no.

Yes, because she does not believe that God is our Holy and Heavenly Father, but I'm leaning more towards a no than a yes, mostly for the reasons I just stated. She is a kind girl, gentle, loving, caring, I mean, God must see this in her. How can he banish her to Hell for doing good things in the world? Like helping people, comferting others, doing community service, making people laugh when they are down, and the list goes on.

What do you guys think? Do you think it's fair?

Note - I'm putting this in this forum because even though I am a moderator, I still am a baby Christian, and I want to continue to ask questions to strengthen my faith more and more.

 

[Fearless_Roots]

I think it is fair. She has a chance to accept Christ and not go to hell. If she accepted Christ Imagine how nice she would be then!

 

[PuppyforChrist]

Well, no offence, but just because she accepts Christ into her heart, it doesn't mean that she will be a nicer person does it? Usually I don't see that in people around where I live anyway. *shrug*

 

[Fearless_Roots]

Well, no offence, but just because she accepts Christ into her heart, it doesn't mean that she will be a nicer person does it? Usually I don't see that in people around where I live anyway. *shrug*

None Taken Well from my understanding When you accept Christ and get the holy spirit you get many things, such as :
Galatians 5

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ..

 

[Jessica Lauren]

She must accept Jesus into her heart. You can be the world's best friend, but still go to hell if you do not accept him. It is fair. She has had the chance to accept him, and has not. That is a huge sin.

 

[Chica4Christ]

FAIR? FAIR?? If God was FAIR we would all get what we deserve, which is eternal damnation. Please dont think I am yellling or anything...hee, hee...

But first, how do you know your friend is still such a great person when she is by herself? How do you know she doesn't lust, treat her parents not so good, or other things?

Listen, its perfectly fair. If we could go to heaven just by being good, then Jesus wouldn't have to come and die. We are also saved by GRACE through FAITH, and not by works so NO MAN can boast. Just because she does good deeds doesn't really mean anything, having Jesus Christ in her life is what counts.

Yes, it is unfortunate, dont get me wrong, but Jesus died for her and went through all that suffering and yet she still doesn't glorify Him in her 'good' works. I suggest that you witness to her little by little. Dont go HEY YOU'RE GOIN' TO HELL! Just be like, 'can I tell you about Jesus?' or "guess what? God answered my prayer!"

something to that effect.

But yes, I think that it is fair. If you dont know Jesus, then Jesus won't know you.

I'll pray for your friend!
GOd bless,
Haley

 

[Sketcher]

Do you guys think it is fair that even good non-Christians will still be sent to Hell after they die?

Problem with that question is, there are no good people in this world. Only Jesus' shed blood can purify someone of sin, making them good in God's sight. I wouldn't call myself a good man, but Christ has made me clean. And nobody can get clean unless they accept the bath.

How can he banish her to Hell for doing good things in the world? Like helping people, comferting others, doing community service, making people laugh when they are down, and the list goes on.

He doesn't banish people to hell for that, He banishes people for their sins- just one is enough to separate even the "best" people from God forever, because God is so holy. We cannot cover over our sins. Only Jesus dying in our place can cover over them.

 

[TheListener]

Read Romans Chapter 9. It is not up to us.

 

[jdomino]

At first glance it doesn't seem fair that good people go to hell. But our standards for good are very different from God's standard.

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Some sins seem smaller or less harmful than others. But it's all still sin. Another thing to keep in mind is just who we have sinned against. Against God Himself. He is so holy and righteous sin cannot be in His presence.

Take a look at the good test. Since I don't have enough posts to post a link you'll have to find your way there. Search for Good Test, its on the LivingWaters site.

Pray for your friend and don't be discouraged if she doesn't seem interested right away. Many of us didn't respond the first time we heard the gospel.

jd

 

[PinkLoveBall]

She has had the chance to accept him, and has not. That is a huge sin.

I disagree. I do not believe it is a huge sin. Sometimes it takes people many tries and many years of hearing the same thing for it to sink in and for them to truly accept it. I know I didn't accept Jesus the first time I was ever spoken to about Him or the first time people were asked to come be "saved" in my church and yet, here I am believing in Him and I have accepted Him. It's not about rushing it, it's about taking your time to understand what He is really all about and then embracing it when you're READY to.

 

[Mayerpod]

Here's what I think.... (please do not come down on me anyone. I am just beginning to read the bible and understand everything.)

I believe that your friend will go to heaven... I just think that her time on Earth will be harder because even though she has found peace among others... she may not feel peace in her heart. If she accepts Jesus then she may have an easier and more worthwhile journey ahead of her.

Angie (above) also mentioned (over IM) that your friend can accept Jesus on her last dying breath.... maybe you can tell her this... If she doesn't feel comfortable with devoting her life to him now... maybe she will down the line.... even if it is right before her death.

I hope this post was politically correct. :o

 

[DawnTillery]

John 3:16 says it..
She may in her own time find Jesus and accept him into her heart, in the mean time she has you, a strong christian, at her side, hold her hand and help her along the way. A friend of mine bugged me for 2 years to come to church, to find Jesus, I kept turning my back, when I found Jesus I sent her an email and apologised for not listening to her sooner... Two years I could of spent with Jesus in my life, but because I didnt want to listen. Witness to her, when she asks questions, answer her in ways that will make her understand you and your faith. I will pray for you and your friend.. God Bless you both

 

[Jessica Lauren]

I disagree. I do not believe it is a huge sin. Sometimes it takes people many tries and many years of hearing the same thing for it to sink in and for them to truly accept it. I know I didn't accept Jesus the first time I was ever spoken to about Him or the first time people were asked to come be "saved" in my church and yet, here I am believing in Him and I have accepted Him. It's not about rushing it, it's about taking your time to understand what He is really all about and then embracing it when you're READY to.

Very true. It took me 17 years. However, if I had died when I was younger, after still be exposed to Jesus, and had not accepted him-- I believe I'd have gone to hell.

 

[CeCe]

Here's what I think.... (please do not come down on me anyone. I am just beginning to read the bible and understand everything.)

I believe that your friend will go to heaven... I just think that her time on Earth will be harder because even though she has found peace among others... she may not feel peace in her heart. If she accepts Jesus then she may have an easier and more worthwhile journey ahead of her.

OK, hun, I am NOT by any means "coming down" on you. But this is too important. Can you tell me where in the Bible you draw that from? Because Jesus is the only way.

John 14:6 says: Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Angie (above) also mentioned (over IM) that your friend can accept Jesus on her last dying breath.... maybe you can tell her this... If she doesn't feel comfortable with devoting her life to him now... maybe she will down the line.... even if it is right before her death.

The problem here is we don't know when that will be. We won't all have a "deathbed". Some of us will pass very suddenly without warning or opportunity to accept Him. That's taking a tremendous chance with eternity. Jesus truly is the only way. And the time is now.

I hope this post was politically correct. :o

Please don't worry about political correctness. Jesus wasn't politically correct. And if we are going to follow Him, we're not going to be politically correct either. But that's OK. It isn't about us being "good" people because we aren't good. It's about a Savior Who loved us enough to save us from what we all deserve.

 

[2Timothy2]

On the one hand I think it is fair, on the other I don't. But really it isn't about fairness. Life isn't fair. I do believe, however, that it is just for a 'good' person who rejects Christ to go to hell. I was one of those rejecters for a little while, you were too, we all were. But, another way to look at your question might be: Is it fair, or just, for someone who rejects God's love and precious gift of His Son to go to Heaven with all the sin in their life still unpaid for? God can not have fellowship with sin. It is hard, I know, believe me I know. God has put you in your friend's life for a reason. You are His witness to your friend and that is both a huge responsibility and a tremendous privilege.


Oh, one more thing. I don't believe a 'good' person would be sent to hell. I think that we have a choice, and if we choose to reject Christ, we essentially choose hell for ourselves. Maybe we don't understand it as that, but the reality is the same.

 

[Jessica Lauren]

I believe no matter HOW Good you are, if you do NOT accept Jesus, then you will NOT go to heaven.

 

[lovespeace]

Did you ever read CS Lewis on this topic? I am in a hurry, so I can't write it now, but try looking it up.

 

[al8322]

Hey, the devil wants us to think we have all this time to unerstand and accept Jesus. But if you've reached the age of accountability and have been witnessed to, there is no reason why one shouldn't accept Jesus. People say they don't understand, but you may never understand all of God's ways.

 

[e8514]

Your friend needs to accept Christ as her personal savior. The best thing you can do for her is to be a witness and win her to the Lord. We can gain everything here and lose our soul. Your frinds soul is very important. Try to win her to the Lord!

I will pray God will deal with her on this.

God Bless

 

[PuppyforChrist]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I guess I really need to spend some serious time praying for my non-Christian friends. Praying that God will find them and lead them along the right path.

It just upsets me so much and it worries me that right now they are living in danger of having a terrible afterlife in Hell. The last thing I ever want to happen to them is to have them suffer there. It really upsets me.

I've been praying for them for years now.. I just hope God will answer my prayers soon. Who knows what could happen to them?

Yes I know I worry a lot about my friends, but it's mostly because I care about them so much.

Thanks everyone.