scared im going to hell.

[fearfullysad]

want to be a better christian, i am scared im am going to hell, so scared it is causing me a lot of depression and saddness. i believe in god and that he sent jesus to die for our sins so that we may be forgiven and go to heaven, but i dont understand why god who loves us sends people to eternal suffering and torment in hell. i am so scared of hell, i am filled with saddness for all the people who are suffering for and eternity, i just cant understand why a god that loves us whould allow eternal tourment. i am scared that this means i too will be going to hell. i pray to god for understanding and guidence but it doesnt make it any better. i want to be better i ask god for forgiveness but how can he forgive me when i cant get over this? even with the thought of the eternal bliss and goodness of heaven i still feel overwhelmed with saddness that most of the people that ever lived will suffer forever in hell. even if i knew i was going to heaven, i dont think i could be happy knowing that others would be suffering forever. i keep telling myself that god is loving and just and has mercy but i still cant get over the saddness and fear i feel inside.

 

[AngelDove1]

want to be a better christian, i am scared im am going to hell, so scared it is causing me a lot of depression and saddness. i believe in god and that he sent jesus to die for out sins so that we may be forgiven and go to heaven, but i dont understand why go who loves us sends people to eternal suffering and torment in hell. i am so scared of hell, i am filled with saddness for all the people who are suffering for and eternity, i just cant understand why a god that loves us whould allow eternat tourment. i am scared that this means i too will be going to hell. i pray to god for understanding and guidence but it doesnt make it any better. i want to be better i ask god for forgiveness but how can he forgive me when i cant get over this? even with the thought of the eternal bliss and goodness of heaven i still feel overwhelmed with saddness that most of the people that ever lived will suffer forever in hell. even if i knew i was going to heaven, i dont think i could be happy knowing that others would be suffering forever. i keep telling myself that god is loving and just and has mercy bt i still cant get over the saddness and fear i feel inside.

I will be prayin for you...

How long have you know Jesus as your savior?

God gives us all free will. You have the choise of doing good or evil. Those peolpe your so worried about have the same free will.One of our purpose here on earth is to choose who we will serve.God or satan.And to serve God.

When you become born again...it is one of your jobs to go out and teach the WORD of GOD to those people your so worried about,so they have a choise to either have God in thier lives or do evil and serve satan,who is princess of the earth.

Do you understand so far?

I will wait for your responce..and go fearther.

I'm sure others will comment and give you answers also.

 

[fearfullysad]

I will be prayin for you...

How long have you know Jesus as your savior?

God gives us all free will. You have the choise of doing good or evil. Those peolpe your so worried about have the same free will.One of our purpose here on earth is to choose who we will serve.God or satan.And to serve God.

When you become born again...it is one of your jobs to go out and teach the WORD of GOD to those people your so worried about,so they have a choise to either have God in thier lives or do evil and serve satan,who is princess of the earth.

Do you understand so far?

I will wait for your responce..and go fearther.

I'm sure others will comment and give you answers also.

i dont know about being born again, but i was brought up as a christian. some times i lost faith. but i have always known god was there watching over me. as i matured my faith grew. i understand it is my job to teach, but i am not going to force my beliefs on other people because i respect them. if someone is willing of course i will help. i know these people have a choice but some dont. mentally hadicapped may dont neither do people who live in the middle of the jungle who have never heard of jesus.

 

[AngelDove1]

i dont know about being born again, but i was brought up as a christian. some times i lost faith. but i have always known god was there watching over me. as i matured my faith grew. i understand it is my job to teach, but i am not going to force my beliefs on other people because i respect them. if someone is willing of course i will help. i know these people have a choice but some dont. mentally hadicapped may dont neither do people who live in the middle of the jungle who have never heard of jesus.

Hi ....
being brought up as a christian and accepting Jesus into your heart,as your Lord and savior,are 2 different things.

I was brought up as a christian in a christian home too.But not until I gave my heart to Jesus did I start to understand alot of my purpose.I had a spiritual awakening.

Yes, we are to respect others and not shove our belifes on them.But for those that ask and are wanting to know.We have to prepair ourselves.

As for those out in the wilderness,thats where the missionaries come in.We have missioneries that go all around the world from our church.

And the handicapped and mentally ill.
I believe God has a place for them.
Don't you?

I use to go to hospitals and senior group homes and read the bible to them.
Worked for Hospice terminally ill people.
Read to them too.

How do you plan to spread God's word?

 

[fearfullysad]

so basically if i died right now i would be sent to hell? i have faith that god does have a place for the mentally hadicapped, but i have heard from other christians that they go to hell because they cant except christ. i know that missionaries do go out their spreading the word of god, but it doesnt stop me feeling depressed about all the souls being toumented in hell for eternity. what about the people that are already there? i feel sick to tears when i think of them.

 

[millerrod]

God does not send man to hell, men choose to go to hell, God asks we turn to him and try. if we choose to not turn then we have condimed ourselves to hell. God Loves all so much he gives all the choice to turn to him or to turn away.

 

[AngelDove1]

so basically if i died right now i would be sent to hell? i have faith that god does have a place for the mentally hadicapped, but i have heard from other christians that they go to hell because they cant except christ. i know that missionaries do go out their spreading the word of god, but it doesnt stop me feeling depressed about all the souls being toumented in hell for eternity. what about the people that are already there? i feel sick to tears when i think of them.

I can not judge that if you'll go to hell or not fearfullysad,only God has that place.

Your feleings are your feelings,no one can help you with this but God,and you if you ask Him to.

The people that are already there,you can't do anything about.You have to think about yourself.Your soul,and your family.

You can wallow in self pity for others and your feelings.

You can carry the message, but you can not carry the person.

Or start working on your salvation.

"Let go and let God"

 

[wonderwaleye]

Dear Fearfullysad



You have every right to be scared. If I was in your position I would feel very uncomfortable.




One of the worse FEARS known to man is: " FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN "




In GOD'S WORD it says:

" ONCE YOU KNOW THE TRUTH THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE "



But you see your still in bondage to this world because you know not GOD'S TRUTH.




If you are not BORN AGAIN ( SAVED, RECIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT ) then you WILL not see the KINGDOM OF ALMIGHTY GOD.




All that is required of you is that you commit your total life to GOD and HIS WILL. Then from that step forward you seek GOD'S WILL in all you do.




Now if you do this, don't you think it would be a GREAT IDEA to pick up and easy to read and understand Bible and find out what it is that GOD wants you to know?




Start reading the NEW TESTIMENT then go to the books of wisdom. These are not STORIES but the MILK AND HONEY GOD gave us to live on.




There is a lot more but it's like buying an insurance policy. Your covered just as soon as you make your VERY FIRST COMMITMENT.




I would like to welcome you here Dear and I hope you will listen to these good folks as they stand by ready to pick you up and help you up GOD'S PATH.




Now for the OTHERS that are in HEAVEN and HELL!!!




GOD'S WORD says:


" WE SHALL EACH SEEK OUR OWN SALVATION "



In other words if they didn't seek GOD as you MUST do your self and commit fully to HIM and HIS WILL. They are DAMMED for all eternity.




SORRY BUT IT'S GOD'S RULES!




Now Dear it sounds like your in just the RIGHT place to do GOD'S WILL.
Are you going to be lazy and FEAR? OR are YOU going to make your COMMITMENT TO GOD and HIS WILL?



YOUR CHOICE!! HEAVEN OR HELL?




YOU MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE AND IT WILL BE EASY TO REMEMBER:




XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and move to the O ) ( then feel who is around you )

 

[ephraimanesti]

so basically if i died right now i would be sent to hell? i have faith that god does have a place for the mentally hadicapped, but i have heard from other christians that they go to hell because they cant except christ. i know that missionaries do go out their spreading the word of god, but it doesnt stop me feeling depressed about all the souls being toumented in hell for eternity. what about the people that are already there? i feel sick to tears when i think of them.

MY DEAR SISTER,

The negative picture you have of our Infinitely Loving Heavenly Father truly saddens me. Where did you ever get these ideas? Where in the world did your fear come from? MAY OUR LORD HAVE MERCY ON YOU AND HEAL THESE NEGATIVE FEELINGS!

GOD IS LOVE! Completely, totally, and everlastingly--LOVE! As was mentioned in a posting above, God NEVER EVER sends anyone to Hell. Those who end up there do so because they have WILLFULLY and CONSCIOUSLY turned their back on God and refused His Love and spurned His offer of Forgiveness. NO ONE who is mentally handicapped, an immature child, someone in the jungle who has never heard the Gospel, someone like yourself who is struggling towards the Kingdom, etc. would ever be allowed by our Loving Creator to suffer eternal torment for something beyond their control. Basically, those who go to hell CHOOSE to go their by WILLFUL rebellion against God--just the same as satan fell because of his turning against God.
God has done, and will continue to do, EVERYTHING in His power to KEEP ANYONE FROM GOING TO HELL. As John 3:16 tells us, He even gave up His Only Begotten Son in order to save us. Forgiveness is ours for the asking. WHAT MORE CAN HE DO THAN HE HAS ALREADY DONE BECAUSE OF HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US? Have you not read this in the Scriptures? Do you not believe what you read? Please--think back on what you have read and believe and accept it as the TRUTH. Nowhere in the Gospel is the God you imagine described. Over and over His infinite Love is proclaimed. Accept this--for yourself and for others. GOD HIMSELF HAS GIVEN HIS WORD THAT IT IS SO!
Satan, "the great deceiver" and "the father of lies" does everything he possibly can to turn us away from God and blind us to God's Love for us. Satan is the one who paints this ugly distorted picture of a wrathful, vengeful, punishing "god" who gets some sort of pleasure out of sending people to hell. Do not fall for The Evil One's B.S.!!!!!!!! Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior is the perfect image of the Father (John 14:7-11). Knowing Jesus as i hope you do from the Gospels, can you imagine He who was so quick to Love and to Forgive--even those who crucified Him!--desiring to see you or anyone else tormented for all eternity? If you don't have a clear picture of Jesus and his Forgiveness and Love for us, re-read the Gospel of John.
The way to get over your unfounded fears regarding your Salvation and the Salvation of others is through Prayer, Meditation, and reading the Scriptures to get in contact with, and begin to experience for yourself, God's mind-blowing all-encompassing LOVE! It is there for the asking; it is there for the taking; it is a bountiful gift of God's glorious GRACE. Just reach out and it is yours. Then, as Scripture states, "PERFECT LOVE WILL CAST OUT ALL FEARS."
MAY YOU BE SO BLESSED AS TO EXPERIENCE THIS FOR YOURSELF!!!!

MUCH LOVE TO YOU IN GOD'S LOVE,
ephraim

 

[WeakButHopeful]

fearfullysad, you express concern over issues that have been discussed for thousands of years. I am certainly no theologian, but I can tell you what makes the most sense to me. God is our "Father", and as a father I can tell you that with every fiber that is in me I want my children to make sensible decisions and act wisely and safely for their own sake. However I cannot force them (especially since they are both adults now). The consequences they experience for poor choices are not my punishment on them, even if it's something I told them was unwise. The consequences are the consequences.

I believe C. S. Lewis felt that life was a continuous sequence of choices...with each choice we either became a little more, or a little less, like Christ. So when we say people "choose" to go to Hell, it might be more accurate to say they have spent their life "choosing" to go to Hell.

I would ask you not to become fearful and sad over your own destination. Bishop Sheen once said the worst person in Paris is the person who thinks they are the best person in Paris. The fact that you are concerned shows you want to make good choices, and making good choices and coming closer to Our Lord Jesus Christ will help you make better choices. He wanted us to have abundant life, not just an escape from hell.

As for people who have not heard the Word of God, C. S. Lewis also discussed this question (in my opinion) very well in "Mere Christianity". He took up the question of people who thought they were Christians, but who were not in reality, and others who would never admit to being Christians, but who actually obeyed in spirit and truth all the Christian concepts of love for God and man better than most Christians (I know I often wonder why the people in their cars leaving church seem to be so disinterested in giving anyone else a break in the parking lot).

As for a Scripture that sums all this up, I would refer you to Luke chapter 7, verses 36 thru 50.

 

[Hello There]

Post edited.

 

[fearfullysad]

Great advice from the peeps on this forum.
I used to struggle with the same fears as you do, I used to agonize for weeks. Even though I don't believe in an eternal hell, the fear of being damned to hell has been replaced with more a respectful fear of God's punishment in the current age and that can be a very hard thing to maintain with OCD.

thankyou, i am glad to hear someone else has shared the same problems that i face. how did you over come them? Why do you not believe in eternal hell if it is in the bible, why were you scared if you did not believe it existed?
sometimes i tell myself that god is so loving and good that it would go against his nature to allow souls to be tortured forever, even though they have chosen it themselves. but i think this may just be wishfull thining.

'But you see your still in bondage to this world because you know not GOD'S TRUTH.




If you are not BORN AGAIN ( SAVED, RECIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT ) then you WILL not see the KINGDOM OF ALMIGHTY GOD.'

does that mean i am going to hell then because i am not born again? even if i ask god for salvation through jesus i will not recieve it because i havent been born again?
now i am even more depressed. i might as well die now as i am sure to go to hell. how can i ever be born again if i cant get over the saddness i feel that millions of souls are suffering unimagineable torture right now?
I do believe god is love and that he gave up jesus to save us, and forgiveness is there for those who ask it. i know it is not gods fault that these people suffer and that they prought it on themselves, but the fact that they do suffer still saddens me, and the fact that it is eternal depresses me. i often think how find my self imaging how it must be for them and i bring myself to tears.

 

[MidnightCandel777]

"want to be a better christian, i am scared im am going to hell, so scared it is causing me a lot of depression and saddness. i believe in god and that he sent jesus to die for our sins..."

My friend,
If wou've asked Jesus into your heart and confessed him as your savior, SATAN CAN'T TOUCH YOU!!!!!!!!! There is no reason for you to be afraid.
See, every other religion in the world says "do do do" but the true God says "done" because you're punishment of hell has been taken and put to death on the cross.

So why do others go to hell, you ask?

Very simple. When Satan rebelled against God, God created hell and put satan and his demons in there. It was a rebellion.
Same with humans. When Eve took a bite of the forbidden friut, all humans joined that rebellion because our sins seperate us from God.

HOWEVER!!!!!!

God could have destroyed us all with just a thought. We could all be dead right now. But because God loves us (a love none of us could EVER understand) He sent His son Jesus to take that punishment for us.

Through His son, God delivered us from that rebellion, setting us free and giving us eternal life with Him.
That's why it's our job to tell everyone else about the gift God gave to us, so that they won't have to go to hell.

In fact, it was the last command Jesus gave to us before he rose to heaven.

So take heart, my brother!!!!!!! Through you, God's arms are reaching to others!!!!!!!!!

 

[ub4me]

1Jo 4:15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

1Jo 4:16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

1Jo 4:17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

1Jo 4:18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Jhn 3:17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Jhn 3:18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

 

[Sketcher]

does that mean i am going to hell then because i am not born again? even if i ask god for salvation through jesus i will not recieve it because i havent been born again?
now i am even more depressed. i might as well die now as i am sure to go to hell. how can i ever be born again if i cant get over the saddness i feel that millions of souls are suffering unimagineable torture right now?
I do believe god is love and that he gave up jesus to save us, and forgiveness is there for those who ask it. i know it is not gods fault that these people suffer and that they prought it on themselves, but the fact that they do suffer still saddens me, and the fact that it is eternal depresses me. i often think how find my self imaging how it must be for them and i bring myself to tears.

What does John 3 say?

3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

4"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"

5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

9"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.

10"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? 11I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

You believe in Jesus, right? Good. Will you stake your soul on that? If so, good. You've asked God to forgive your sins through Jesus, right (verse 14)? Good. Have you asked for the Holy Spirit? If so, you're good to go. If not, He is just a prayer away. This is a prayer God has promised in advance to say "yes" to.

"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away." - John 6:37

The invitation is open to you. Take it. If you already have, relax. He's not going to condemn one of His adopted children.

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." - John 5:24

"28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand." - John 10:28-29

"13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory." - Ephesians 1:13-14

 

[Hello There]

Post edited.

 

[fearfullysad]

'God could have destroyed us all with just a thought. We could all be dead right now.'

but as god loves us and has compashion, would destoying those who do not believe be more compashionate than eternal suffering? i would prefer to be wiped out completely than suffer forever.

 

[jacquidube]

'God could have destroyed us all with just a thought. We could all be dead right now.'

but as god loves us and has compashion, would destoying those who do not believe be more compashionate than eternal suffering? i would prefer to be wiped out completely than suffer forever.

Dear fearfullysad. I am trying so hard to understand what you may be going through. You will never get over the thought of other people suffering in hell.
I have read that there is a holding place for people when they die and that actually nobody is in either hell or heaven right now, not until judgement day when the Lord decides on who goes where.

Please try not to worry too much over that otherwise you will miss what God actually has for you in this life.
You do sound like you truly want to live for Christ because you are asking lots of questions.
Why dont you go into your room and rededicate your life to God. Ask Jesus to come into your life, pray for forgiveness and repent of every known sin. Its as simple as that.
Have you been baptised? I was fully immersed thinking that was what I had to do to be born again. Well I did that and I am born again. All my old self and past things have been washed away. I thank God so much for this because I could not live with myself after all the bad things I have done in my life.

You sound like you do have a lot of love for people and thats what Jesus wants. You are already on your way to what Jesus has for you. All you got to do to serve God is to be loving, polite and happy with others that you dont even know. You will be amazed at how many people will want to talk to you when you smile at them. I smile at anyone me ..... and I always get talking to them. God is so wonderful. People who you talk to may walk away thinking ...wow....what a lovely person that was.

God bless you.

 

[MidnightCandel777]

Let me try again.

Dude, I was in your situation, growing up in the church. Now I realize the awsomeness of what Jesus did for us.

If you prayed a prayer and asked Jusus into your heart, you're saved. DONE!!!

But it's our jobs as christians to reach a lost world.

I know it doesn't make sense that an "eternally loving" God would do such a thing as send people to hell. God is perfect, but he is also the perfect Judge. He could have left us in our sins. But He is also the Redeemer. Look at how Jesus died. Jesus really didn't gain anything but the world's worst butt whooping so that we could join Him in Heaven one day. Wouldn't you like to share that with the rest of the world?

We, as christians, are His voice and arms. How can we save people if we don't try.

I'll pray for you.

Don't let Satan whisper such garbage into you. He's just trying to throw you off. FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!!!!

 

[fearfullysad]

i do try to fight it but i just cant. i want to love god fully and understand, i know that christ suffered so that i could be with him and i am thankfull. but i dont see how i can be truley happy and understaning of god, when eternal tourment exists! god created us with compashion, so how could i not feal this way? i fear i will be going to hell because i dontlove him as i should, as dont understand how he can allow his creation to suffer so. i know with my finate mind i can never understand and infinate god, but i just wish that all suffering would end one day. how can i be happy while others suffer? how can i not think of them and not feel pain? if feel saddness already for those who suffer during there lives on earth, but what about those for whom there is no end to suffering?