A Grave Question

Have you ever visited the grave of a loved one—a parent, sibling, child, or friend?
We bring flowers, speak softly, and wonder: Do they hear us? Will we ever see them again? Does God send people to hell, or only to heaven?
In those quiet moments, doubts creep in. We fear going to hell if they’re in heaven—or heaven if they’re in hell. Guilt haunts us, whispering that we failed them, that we betrayed their eternal destiny. The thought of loved ones suffering in hell can feel unbearable.
Can a Loving God Send Someone to Hell?
This question divides hearts. On one hand, we demand justice for the worst offenders—Hitler, child abusers, and terrorists.
Would heaven feel like heaven with Satan or Nero there? Could unrepentant criminals like Stalin or Charles Manson enter paradise?
Yet, we hesitate to apply the same standard to ourselves. If God punishes evil, where does that leave us? After all, haven’t we all sinned?

Who Does God Love? Who Does He Hate?
The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). None of us can claim innocence.
Think about it. Have you ever lied, envied, or acted selfishly? Sin isn’t just “big crimes.” It’s every deliberate choice against love, integrity, and justice. So, does God hate sinners? If He did, wouldn’t we all be lost?
Instead, Jesus surprises us. He offers love and forgiveness—but without excusing sin.
The Adulteress and the Stones
Consider the woman caught in adultery (John 8).
Men dragged her before Jesus, demanding, “The law says to stone her. What do you say?” If Jesus agreed, He’d endorse her execution. If He refused, He’d oppose the law.
What did Jesus do? He stooped and wrote in the dirt. Then He said, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” One by one, her accusers left. Jesus told her, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.”
What Was Jesus Really Saying?
Many today quote, “Let him without sin cast the first stone,” as if Jesus defends sin. But did He?
Notice His words: “Go and sin no more.” Jesus didn’t condone her adultery. He forgave her while urging her to change. His love wasn’t permissive—it was redemptive.
When Jesus warned against judging, He condemned hypocrisy, not accountability. He called out those who ignored their sins while attacking others.
Sin Isn’t a Mistake
Many excuse sin as inevitable. “Nobody’s perfect,” we say. But is that true?
Think of adultery, murder, or theft. These aren’t accidents. Nobody says, “Oops, I committed fraud today!” Sin is deliberate. It’s choosing selfish desires over God’s will.
On Judgment Day, God won’t excuse sin as unavoidable. He’ll reveal how each choice reflected our priorities.

Faithfulness to God
Ask yourself: Who deserves greater faithfulness—your spouse or God?
Would your partner tolerate infidelity once a week? How about once a year? Yet, many think occasional unfaithfulness to God is acceptable.
Faithfulness to God means surrendering sin—not because He hates us, but because He loves us.

The Rich Young Ruler
In Luke 18, a rich young ruler asked Jesus how to gain eternal life.
Jesus listed commandments the man had obeyed. Relieved, the man responded, “I’ve kept all these since my youth.”
But Jesus pressed deeper. “Sell everything, give to the poor, and follow me.” Saddened, the man walked away. His wealth owned him.
Like this man, we cling to sins we don’t want to give up. When Jesus asks for those, we resist. His request exposes who or what we truly worship.

Why Hell Exists
Hell isn’t about God’s hatred. It’s about His respect for our choices.
Sin separates us from God. If we choose sin over Him, He honors that decision—even though it breaks His heart.
God’s love compelled Him to endure the cross, offering us a way back to Him. But He won’t compromise His justice to save those who reject Him.
Does God Send People to Hell?
No. We send ourselves.
God’s love is relentless. He pursues us, forgives us, and invites us into His family. But He won’t force us to love Him back. Hell exists for those who refuse His grace and cling to sin.
The Ultimate Question
Will you surrender to God’s love, or will you choose sin?
The choice isn’t about rules—it’s about relationship. God doesn’t want mindless obedience. He desires your heart, your love, and your trust.
He loves you enough to die for you. The question is, will you love Him enough to live for Him?
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.