"No Hell"

They were just about to tell me,

And no doubt try to sell me,

That there was no hell, see,

And just whatever goes.

But I’m not so naïve, see,

A lie to so believe, see,

And they could not deceive me,

‘Bout what God’s wisdom shows.

Been down to the low place,

Seen just why we need grace,

And nevermore will make space,

For a fool you cannot trust.

Though they may sound convincing,

Their lies produce a wincing,

And way done ever sincing,

I saw that hell’s a must.

Not just ‘cause  Jesus said it,

Or in the Word I read it,

Though sinners ought to dread it,

It simply has to be.

Fairness will require it,

And though no one desire it,

God’s judgment comes to fire it,

Unless grace sets us free.

“They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of His power…” (2 Thessalonians 1:9, NIV)

There is no doubt the Bible teaches us about hell. Jesus spoke of it, and Peter, John and Paul taught that it was real. I agree with them. I do not emphasize hell as a threat using fear as a motivation to seek salvation. I constantly promote God’s grace and mercy. But to ignore hell is to simply reject a major theme of scripture. The Bible draws lines between right and wrong, truth and lies, lost and found, and heaven and hell. Our secular culture labels all such teaching as bigoted, hateful and judgmental. But this is simply not true, and is another way the enemy blinds the minds of unbelievers. God will one day righteously punish those who reject His grace. We all have an eternal choice to make. Choose wisely.

Lord, help us to choose heaven and reject hell, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Don Dane, used by permission. Thanks, Don, and God bless you.