It is often taught by the traditional church that there must be a Hell because God’s love demands it. According to tradition, humans must be able to chose freely to love God or else it is not true love. God forcing people to heaven would be “spiritual rape.” True love, tradition says, must be an exercise of “free will.” Therefore, human beings must also be able to chose to reject God forever. This is a classic position of what theologians call Arminianism. Most denominations of Christianity hold an Arminian view on the Sovereignty of God versus Free Will debate. Under the Frequently Asked Questions section of www.tentmaker.org, we have a number of articles dealing with this issue.
In a new book on Christ’s Victory on the Cross, Jim May, author of “It is Finished!” presents an interesting angle on this issue of God’s love and “free will.” He writes:
A.J. Allen tells the story of an evangelist in London who encountered a similar problem. In a certain quarter of London, one of the many evangelists employed for that purpose, had gone forth to preach to the people. When he had concluded an eloquent address, he was thus accosted by one of his hearers.
“Sir, may I ask you a question or two?”
“Surely,” said the preacher.
“You have told us that God’s love for us is very great and very strong.”
“Yes.”
“That He sent His Son on purpose to save us, and that I may be saved this moment, if I will.”
“Yes.”
“But, that if I go away without an immediate acceptance of this offer, and if, a few minutes after leaving here I were to be killed in an accident, I should find myself in Hell forever and ever.”
“Yes.”
“Then,” said the man, “if so, I don’t want to have anything to do with a Being Whose love for me can change so completely in five minutes!”
(From “It Is Finished!” by Jim May)
One thought on “God: How Deep Is His Love?”
There is nothing that we can do to save ourselves. God does the saving and has done so through the wonderful work of Jesus Christ on the cross over 2000 years ago as foreordained before the beginning of time, actually. Sadly, most people don’t know this nor are they taught this in most of our Christian churches from times past to now with the exception of the first 500 years where the Church Fathers taught Christian Universalism but it’s been all down hill for the past 1500 years theologically. It’s up to each of us to get all of this straight in our heads and hearts then exhibit Christ in all that we say and do the best we can by blooming where we are planted. People not only want to hear the Better Good News, they want to see it also in our everyday lives . That’s why I pray everyday that Jesus shine through me where ever I go because I know I can’t do it all myself. It’s ongoing and a process of growth in and through Christ. Believe me, He wants this growth in us more than we can imagine and He finishes what He starts, so be filled with the joy of knowing our Lord is working to bring us to completion as we work out our salvation by the doing of good works to the glory of God in this life and the age(s) to come.
Yes!
IT IS FINISHED!