Over the years I’ve been confronted with the difficult truth about Hell as it pertains to unbelievers. The argument goes that if God (and His Christ) are loving and good, He wouldn’t “send” people to Hell. Now, we realize as Christians that Jesus and our Father don’t “send” people to Hell. Even so, for me anyway, it’s been a tough pill to swallow. Honestly, it SHOULD be. Yes, the typical evangelical answer may be, “well, that’s what the Bible says!” But in my heart, the empathetic, compassionate heart The Lord gave me, I quietly questioned the same.

How does a loving God allow people He created to spend eternity is such an obviously miserable state?

Here’s where (and only here) legalism has its place. Stick with me…

We are spirit having a physical experience. We are ruled, whether we know it or not, by spiritual law as old as time. LAW. Binding. Before God made us, He had a plan. He knew the evil intended by a third of His angelic creation. He knew we’d bite; He knew we’d fall. It was out of His love for us and to demonstrate His ultimate authority that He made a sacrificial, legally binding way to ensure our access to an eternity with Him. We are Christ’s bride, and Jesus pursues us in this, His Great Romance.

Here’s the thing: love is nothing if it’s forced. Just as he saw it all in front of Him and knew how it would play out, He also knew that if He forced us to love Him back…it wouldn’t really be love at all. So, He allowed for our free will…and our sin. He’s expressed interest in us. He’s shown us the necessary action to free ourselves from evil and its clutches…but we have to choose it.

Think of it like this: you’re at the defendant’s table in a courtroom, Jesus your defender. The Devil and His minions consume the plaintiff’s table, holding a list of all your sins, and gleefully telling Father God, our ultimate authority, why you belong with his legion in Hell. As Lucifer reads the list, is he wrong? Over the span of your life, did you do all of the terrible (and not so terrible, it all counts) things He says you did? Yep. You did. We all did. If the devil is given his way, based on his evidence….we’re burning.

But God looks to your defense table as the prosecution momentarily rests….you look over at Jesus in a panic and realize…1. you’re sunk. The devil has you right where he wants you. 2. you haven’t actually hired Jesus as your defense….He’s only there in case you need Him and ask.

The ultimate Judge looks at you expectantly, awaiting your decision. He wrote the law, and he knows exactly how this case is playing out. You look down and realize you’ve been wearing shackles the entire time you’ve been tried…you’re been captive your whole life and it’s about to be permanent.

You look desperately at Jesus, thinking, “There’s no way He can defend me, I’m guilty….but He’s here, He’s all I’ve got, and He’s willing. He’s my last shot and I’m taking it.” You say, “Jesus, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. What he’s said is terrible and every bit of it is true. I don’t have a defense. Please…if you can…be my defense.”

He smiles. Chuckles, “If? All things are possible for those who believe.” The devil, seeing the tables turned so quickly, begins to sweat. “Lord, He can’t just…”

“HUSH!” says the Judge. He looks to your only defender and says, “Is this one yours? Is she redeemed by your blood?” “Yes,” says Jesus. She’s mine. I CLAIM HER. I paid in full. You gave her to me, and I haven’t lost even one you gave me.” You look down, startled and relieved to see the shackles fall. You look up in amazed gratitude, and He says something he’s said to all of us for years…

You’ve been given free will. You’ve been given the ability to use that will to save yourself….He’s willing…but He’s gotta know you want it. Think about it: If you’ve lived your life apart from Him, uninterested or perhaps actively mocking, and then desire to be with Him for eternity…well…why? Why do you want to go to a Heaven where you’re praising a God you hate…for eternity no less? It’s courtesy on God’s part. A respect for the authority He’s given us to choose for ourselves. He doesn’t send anyone to an eternity of misery. He sadly allows us to choose who we will serve, and sometimes people choose eternal separation from love for themselves. Heartbreaking, nothing to be callus about, nor should we wish for people to go there. There’s a reason the whole of Heaven rejoices when even one returns to the faith.

If you haven’t, I encourage you to claim your eternity today. Tell Him you want it. He’s ready to set you free, and when the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. <3