Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - Hot Questions About Hell - #8236

Thursday, March 26, 2009

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“How can a loving God send people to hell?” That’s one of the most provocative questions people ask Christians. It’s a good question.

I’m Ron Hutchcraft. Let’s start with what God says about who will go to heaven and who won’t. It says, “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12 ). OK, going to heaven, or going to hell, depends on what we do with Jesus; not what we do with Christianity or church, but with Jesus.

Let’s rewind to that scene we saw on the news not long ago. USAir 1549 had been forced by a bird hit to crash land on the Hudson River in New York City. The passengers quickly evacuated and many of them ended up standing single file on the wings, surrounded by the icy waters of the Hudson. Rescuers came. There were ferry boats and Coast Guard. They extended a hand to help them escape the danger.

What if one of those passengers had refused to grab the rescuer’s hand; insisted on staying where they were or trying to swim their way out? If they died because of that choice, would we say, “How could those good people let that man die?” Now, don’t blame them. They risked to rescue him. He refused the rescue.

That’s how it is with Jesus. God doesn’t send people to hell; we send ourselves, by refusing to grab the hand of Jesus, the Rescuer God sent. Jesus died to pay the death penalty for our sins which no religion can pay. He wants us in heaven with Him, but the choice rests with us. “He that has the Son has life!”

If you want to begin a relationship with Him or be sure you belong to Him, would you go to our website. It’s ALifeThatMatters.org.

This radio program references: 1 John 5:12