This post is born from a burden I have sensed for years that was ignited again yesterday. I was reading the comment section of a blog and someone made a joke about Hell. The context is irrelevant and it was obviously a joke. However, I was not laughing. Hell is a real place where real people suffer without hope of relief.
Here is a point I want to make that I hope generates as much discussion as Santa: Our cavalier attitude toward Hell proves that we don't actually believe it exists. Evangelicals will defend the reality of Hell with the utmost vehemence (because it is in the Bible) with their lips. But, our lack of sleeplessness at its reality condemns us.
I am not here to point fingers at anyone. I am sure I have joked about Hell somewhere along the way. However, let us reconsider what our joking accomplishes:
1. Our joking about Hell weakens our brokenness over its reality. When you laugh at something, your trick yourself into denying its reality.
2. Our joking about Hell confirms non-believers in their sin. If Hell is lifted up as something funny, sin is no longer serious (Offending a holy God is nothing to worry about because Hell is not that serious).
3. Our joking about Hell nullifies the Cross of its clarity. The Cross is God's alternative to Hell. You either embrace Christ and have your sins forgiven or you embrace yourself and pay for your own sins in Hell. If Hell is not serious, then the Cross isn't either.
Some resources to consider:
1. Sam Storms' 4 articles called "Hell and the Happiness of Heaven."
2. John Piper sermons and articles on Hell and Judgment.
3. Jim Elliot quote: "Oh why stand we debating whether or not children under the 'age of accountability' (whatever that may mean) are going to heaven when we are dead sure that multitudes round about us are pouring hourly into hell?"
5 comments:
Sarah, I am also thankful for the Cross!!
I cannot believe you still remember that message back in 1998-1999? I looked for that magazine cover this morning but couldn't find it (I think it is at home). For those who don't know what we are refering to:
There was a Newsweek (I think) magazine cover that had a "picture" of Hell on the front. It showed people getting a sun tan in bikinis and sipping on glasses with umbrellas in them. Others were playing volleyball and the devil himself was wearing a hawaian shirt.
I wept over that picture when I got it in the mail.
Very good, Justin. This is an important topic, and a cavilier approach to hell over the longterm will harden into an irredeemable levity and callousness if we are not careful. Better never to start down that road.
I got the same feeling when I heard Max Mclean read "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Edwards. I repented.
If we believed in hell we would feel it in our bones. Nothing we can imagine can make us feel the real horror of hell. I am cold to this reality. What can one do to stir up holy affections regarding this doctrine?
Great question Tony. I hope some others will tell us what they think regarding stiring up holy affections regarding Hell.
Here is some Edwards help (from his Resolutions):
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if, I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments.
nice use of JE resolutions. Thanks
Post a Comment