Why does a God of love send people to hell?
In 2001, fresh out of the Navy, I enrolled in UW-Marinette. One of the classes I had that year was biology, which was taught by Professor Johnson. This professor was a good lecturer, approachable and seemed to genuinely care about his students.
As we continued with the course, I attended his lectures on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday’s. Soon it came time for the first test. I remember thinking “I got this” and proceeded to not study, simply focusing on my other classes as I felt I understood this material.
The class after our first exam I was handed my test. There at the top was all in red “F – Please see me”. I had failed! How could I have failed? I felt I knew biology! How could this nice lecturer give me an F! Later on I had a meeting with Professor Johnson. He asked me what happened during the test. My response was one of ownership. I simply said I didn’t study the material as I felt I knew it and, in the future, I needed to devote more time to the subject.
Now let’s look at the spiritual application to this true story. Was it Professor Johnson who gave me the F or was it my own doing? He had provided the materials for success in lectures; however, it was up to me to take notes. He had provided a textbook, yet it was my responsibility to read that textbook. Professor Johnson gave me all the tools to get an A in the class, however, it was my lack of interest and studying which brought the F.
The same hold trues with God. He didn’t leave humanity with no clue about Him. He has given us the textbook of life, the Bible. However, it is up to us to study this book.
II Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Just as Professor Johnson gave me all the tools to pass his class, so has God given humanity all the tools to make heaven their home. What lacked wasn’t from the professor, but rather, was from me. What lacks for eternity isn’t because of God, but rather, from humanity. The first step in spending eternity with Jesus is to study His Word. He has given us the greatest textbook known to humanity. However, so many of us do not study this book, yet expect to get an A for eternity. Remember, it was NOT Professor Johnson who gave me the F, rather, it was my lack of devotion to the class which caused me to receive an F.
Now to finish the story of biology. I devoted more time to studying this course and turned around my grade to pass the class. It took devotion, studying and diligence on my part. The good news is that you also can turn around your eternity. Spend time studying God’s Word, praying and attending a Bible believing group of fellowship. You can change your eternity when you invest in the course.
II Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
God’s very own Word states it is not His will that any would lose out on eternity. Rather, it’s His will that all would come to repentance and restore a relationship with Him. Are we willing to invest in the tools He has given us to humanity to make heaven our home?
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seemth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
There was a way which seemed right to me for my biology test, but the end result was an F. It may seem right to someone that a God of love wouldn’t send anyone to hell, but without the proper studying and determination to know Him, we will find in the end, it led to death.
