An understanding of hell is necessary, therefore, in order to deter us from disobedience of God’s law. We live in an environment where there is divine law. God has delivered to man both a law of the conscience and a law that has been written by the direction of the Holy Spirit. The Gentiles were given “the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness” (Rm 2:15). The Jews were given the “oracles of God”. Christians have received the law of liberty (Js 1:25; 2:8). All men have thus been under law. And since all have been under law, each person will be held accountable for willful violation of law. Where there is no law there is no sin (Rm 4:15; 5:13). But God has revealed law (Rm 2:11-16), and thus, those who violate law will suffer the punishment of God which is separation from His presence for eternity. There will be no excuse for those who end up in hell. All will stand before a just and fair God who will render to each according to his or her deeds in relation to the law of God (2 Co 5:10). The realization of the authority of God’s law rests in the knowledge of punishment for those who violate the law of God. Those who willfully sin have only “a certain fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (Hb 10:26,27). The punishment of hell becomes the deterrent to violating law. Men must fear God “who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Mt 10:28). Jesus exhorted, “But I will show you whom you should fear: fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” (Lk 12:5; see Ps 119:120; Hb 10:26-31). Soberness concerning judgment comes from a knowledge that we will give account of every idle word that we shall speak (Mt 12:36). We are thus motivated to do right in living in order to enter the narrow gate into life (Mt 7:13,14). An understanding of hell is necessary, therefore, in order to deter us from disobedience of God’s law. It is necessary in order that we direct our lives by the word of God.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 01:44:10 +0000
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