11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Many people believers and those who don’t struggle with the thought that a loving God could send people to hell. How can a God do that? Doesn’t it prove he’s perverse and cruel? I can certainly understand that line of thought and for a long time, I struggled with it too. Many times I read over passages like the one above and I would struggle with that question. How can God send people to hell?
One day the answer came to me after watching a video of an atheist do his best to rip apart Christ. It was watching that video I realized God doesn’t send people to hell, we choose hell. I knew watching that video that as long as that man was alive that God would pursue him and continue to knock on the door to his heart until he took his last breath. He would never give up. The theologians would continue to come and debate him in hopes that the message would somehow sink in. God would continue to try and find ways to try and nudge him in the right direction. Hoping that this man would reach out and accept the gift waiting for him on the other side of that door.
He sent his son to die for that man not knowing if he would accept that gift. In giving us free will he knew that some would leave the gift untouched and gathering dust. The thing is that when we do die and stand before him the time we had to accept that gift expires. To truly benefit from the gift it requires you take a risk and jump. So when you die and stand before him and if that gift remains untouched he politely accepts your wish. In life, he relentlessly pursued you and never left you alone. He was with you always even if it was from a distance hoping to be invited over. He was there. It is in love at that time of judgment that he lets you go. He respects your wish to be left alone and sends you to a place where you can finally be without him. Just like you asked for in life. Hell is a place we choose. Heaven is a place you choose. You have the power to choose heaven if you so wish it. You also have the power to choose hell should you really desire a place devoid of God and his presence. The choice is yours. Will you accept his gift?
Lord, today I choose you. I have questioned your existence. I still don’t understand who you are or who I am. I still have some doubts but today I ask you help me see. I am taking a risk and betting on you Lord. If you are there come into my heart, my life, and make yourself known. In your name. Amen.