Would a loving God send anyone to hell? Many people have asked this question. Some have said they don't believe in a God who would send anyone to hell. Others have said that because God loves us he won't send anyone to hell. Still others don't believe there is a hell. Are these statements just speculation, or do they actually have merit? Fortunately, we don't have to speculate; God has given us the Bible and it is there we will find the answer.
So is there a hell? Jesus states very clearly that hell exists and it is a place of punishment and suffering "where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew Chapters 8, 13, 22, 24, & 25). He also defines the criteria for those deserving of hell (Matthew 25): "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Notice that the fate of those on the left is determined entirely by their actions in this life. Everyone is free to choose: you can follow God's rules or ignore them. So does God send anyone to hell? No, God makes the rules; your fate is determined by the choices you make.
So does this imply that God is vindictive, or that he takes any joy from the suffering of those in hell? A well known Bible verse, John 3:16, gives a clear answer: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." God loves us all, even the worst of sinners, and wants everyone to take advantage of the opportunity for salvation provided by the Lord's death, burial, and resurrection. So how do we take advantage of this opportunity? "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)
Now there are those who believe once you repent and are baptized that's all you have to do; you have "locked in" your salvation once and for all. That is not a logical conclusion. If that was true, then nothing you do after baptism matters - you could rob or murder all you want with no consequences. God's only son paid a terrible price for us to have an opportunity of salvation. Doesn't God have the right to expect something substantial in return? In other words, repentance and baptism are useless without a corresponding change in behavior. James says it this way in James 2:14-17: "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
