Guys, I don't think I'm ever going to be saved

Hi everyone...today wasn't the best of days, as this kept going through my mind...I wanted to ask you all something...Has hell ever been a struggle for any of you? I don't think I can ever be saved by God as long as I am bothered by the concept of an eternal hell...I envy people who say with the utmost conviction that hell is too good a place for them because it makes the mercy of God so much sweeter to them...and here I'm struggling because the idea of eternal punishment frightens and bothers me so much...if any of you struggled with that, how did you come out of it? Thanks...sorry if my posts have become bothersome to you all

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...

Greetings Jdl

Yes I have struggled with the idea of hell. The thought that some of those that I love may end up suffering eternity there. I have laid awake at night and cried and prayed that the hearts of loved ones would be changed. That mothers, brothers, sisters, family and friends would see their need for Him and repent. I have shared with these same family and friends about Jesus over and over only to have them reject Him. All I can tell you is that when I looked into the mirror and I saw myself as I am, a sinner, corrupt, wicked, with nothing good inside of me, and then I looked to the cross and I saw Jesus, I knew. I knew with out a doubt that I deserved hell and so did all those family and friends of mine. He suffered, He paid the price, He sacrificed and endured all for me, and for you. Each one of us deserves hell but God is so merciful that He sent His only son to save us. For those who turn to Jesus, submit their life to Him, repent of their sin there is a promise of salvation and life with Him. Hell should frighten us, it is a terrifying place, but it is a place that each one who rejects His son not only deserves but belongs. I do not say this easily, it weighs heavy on my heart that those I love may spend eternity suffering, but they do so by their own choice and continued living for self.
God Bless
maryjane

Hi,

I think I will say 2 things.

First,

I don't really think you would have a problem with justice.

I mean if some person murdered your family in some horrid way in cold blood you wouldn't mind him being judged for it.

So, the problem might be in that you do not think God is being just in sending men to hell.

This might root from you not thinking mans sin is bad enough to deserve such a punishment.

The fact is though that sin is a very weighty thing.

Especially when seen in the true light of the true holiness of God.

Man is not only accountable for lying or sinning against man but against God.

The Gospel which is a lofty mercy from God raise the bar for accountability. A great salvation if neglect leads to a great judgment.

When one sins against an eternal God they receive an eternal judgment.

Not only this, but when one walks proudly before God if His anger is justly kindled he will take more then an eye for an eye. For instance if a man took the life of your child his life would not be enough to satisfy your desire for justice. You would be so righteously angry you would want 3 of His.

When a man sins against God they are not just sinning against anyone. They are sinning against a King, a Savior, the Groom of the Bride the Church, against "God" who receives all glory and honor, ect.

We do not see the weight of sin until we experience it. When we sin against someone it is not so bad. When they sin against us it is huge and that person so evil for we feel the consequence of their sin.

We have a problem loving our neighbor. We are offended to the person next to us because we are effected by them relationally, but not so much the man across the world. However, God is relationally connected to every person in the world even more so then we our neighbor for even their hearts effect Him. Imagine billions of people with bilions and billions of sins all touching the heart of God personally and imagine if you had to endure that when you cannot even endure a couple from your neighbor.

In addition look at what the world has done. World war 2, slavery, human trafficking, neglecting the poor, pride, fellowship with darkness, and a hate for God by loving sin.

Secondly,

It is not as if everyone gets the same amount of judgment. I know that all who are not with Christ will go to the lake of fire for eternity, but there will be different levels of punishment therein. So Stalin, Hitler, and others will be judged much worse then others.

I will end by saying that I empathize with you in some sense. I mean some are offended by earthly judgments, but neglect to think of those coming later. This is largely due in part to not believing it or not being sincere enough to acknowledge it. So, I respect the fact that you are looking at things truthfully. This though is in fact the truth. This truth is not easy to receive. If it were easy to receive it probably would not be the truth. This great judgment speaks to us of the great sacrifice and love God has given us in Christ. It speaks of the great evil of mankind to deserve such a penalty. It speaks of the greatness of God and His lofty holiness and love and eternality.

In the end you need God's help to receive His word. I know even after being saved that I have had problems with doctrines like these. I wrestled with them fervently in my head for seasons. I thought and thought and though that helped some I in the end had to lean into God for grace. God has shown me grace and taught me things though hard are true and right and love uncompromised in the beauty of His holiness.

Jdl,

I'm sure many genuine Christians have struggles about the idea of eternal punishment. I wouldn't necessarily discount your salvation because of this. Do you have a pastor you can talk to?

With care in Christ...

Greetings anonymity

You wrote:It is not as if everyone gets the same amount of judgment. I know that all who are not with Christ will go to the lake of fire for eternity, but there will be different levels of punishment therein. So Stalin, Hitler, and others will be judged much worse then others.

__________

Could you share with me scripture reference where you are seeing this that has led you to this understanding that there is different levels of hell?

God Bless
mj

Jdl,

You are right to be afraid of hell. It is a place of terror and pain; of darkness and damnation; and hell is eternal.

But why should this fear keep you from seeking God? The scarier hell is, the more you would want to avoid it and turn to God, right? I would think it would be an encouragement rather than a hindrance, although one does not become saved because they are afraid of hell. A person becomes saved because they love the Lord Jesus with a life-changing, self-sacrificing type of love.

Can you explain more clearly why the idea of hell keeps you away from God?

Yes there is a punishment of the wicked,and it will be horrific.If one is in Christ,he is a creation,and if we stumble we can repent and ask God to forgive us.

However perfect love casts out all fear,and fear has a torment,read the word,spend quality time with The Lord,ask the Holy Spirit to empower you.
The Lord keeps those in perfect whose mind is stayed upon him.
Grow strong in The Lord,and the power in of His might.

I read into some writings of annihilationism, and it ended up leaving me depressed.

If there is no hell, God cannot be God. Annihilationism makes a mockery of the holiness and justice of God.

God is holy, therefore He will do what is just towards sinners who reject Christ.

Christ has made the payment, thus anyone who rejects Christ, has no one to blame but himself.

I once briefly struggled with the idea of hell. But then I believe God caused me to see, as absolutely miserable as it will be for billions of people to spend eternity literally burning in fire and in torment, as bad as all of that is, it is nothing compared to the sufferings of Jesus Christ on the cross. The King of kings and Lord of lords; the Alpha and the Omega; the Beginning and the End; the Creator of all things seen and unseen; He who was born of a virgin and lived a perfect and sinless life, this man, Jesus Christ, died the death of a criminal, and suffered the wrath of God meant for us on the Cross.

Hell is a pretty terrifying thought when one truly thinks about it. But, I believe there is nothing more terrifying to think of than the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. In all eternity, as bad as hell will be, there will be nothing that was ever as bad as what Jesus Christ went through for you and for me on that cross.

I too am struggling right now, not so much whether I'm going to hell or not, but rather sad and upset not knowing if my parents are saved. They say they are, but they don't live like it. I just can't imagine spending an eternity in Heaven knowing the parents I know and love are spending eternity in Hell.

I try to talk to them about things. Mom wishes to cleave to her idea of Catholicism, Dad wishes to go along with Mom's beliefs. It still ends up in arguments, but not explosive. If I see it starting to heat up, I don't say anything.

I don't know what to do, because these thoughts are also plaguing my relationship (whether I am already saved or am working on that salvation).

hi, the place called hell never enters my daily thoughts...sin very rarely enters them either ... i look unto Jesus who is the author and finisher of my faith ... whatsoever things that are holy etc. think on these things...rejoice evermore for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you...if you have believed into[eos] Jesus and have released the lordship of your life to him as a living sacrifice than you are hid with Christ in God and need not worry but have faith that He who began a work in you shall complete it... a man asked to be licensed as a river pilot here in louisiana and was asked if he knew where all the problems,which are many , are in the river... he said of course i dont know of all the problems in the Mississippi. but i do know where the channel is and how to keep the ship safely therein.JESUS is the route[way truth life]dont look at all the stuff that really doesnt effect you but unto Jesus.jimp

jmooney6 wrote:
I too am struggling right now, not so much whether I'm going to hell or not, but rather sad and upset not knowing if my parents are saved. They say they are, but they don't live like it. I just can't imagine spending an eternity in Heaven knowing the parents I know and love are spending eternity in Hell.

I try to talk to them about things. Mom wishes to cleave to her idea of Catholicism, Dad wishes to go along with Mom's beliefs. It still ends up in arguments, but not explosive. If I see it starting to heat up, I don't say anything.

I don't know what to do, because these thoughts are also plaguing my relationship (whether I am already saved or am working on that salvation).

Dear Jim,

Be patient and don't rush things. At this point, the more you push, the more they will dig in their heels and push back, and things will become more difficult than before. I know because I too come from a Catholic family.

It will be better for you to just work out your own walk with Christ before them each day. Enjoy your life in Jesus - savor the joy, the peace and most important, grow in the knowledge of His word. It is knowledge of the Word that will bring you to maturity in Christ. The more they see Jesus in you, the more they will thirst for Him, and their resistance will slowly crumble. Even as you avoid sharing directly with them to keep the peace, pray for them because God can win them through others also. And always show your parents the love and respect that is due them as commanded by God.

God loves them as much as he loves you, and He will try to win them over even if you were not in the picture. But your presence as a living temple of Christ before them will play a huge role in their salvation. The best thing you can do for their salvation is to be a shining example of what a true Christian is, and the love of Christ which will flow through you into them will bear fruit.

I'll be praying for your growth and their salvation.

Sorry I do not mean to add posts here as it is to others and not the original poster.

MJ,

Luk 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. Luk 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

Joh 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Rev 18:5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Rev 18:6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

I could probably think of more. Like when Jesus said woe to you Chorazin for if the mighty works which had been done in you had been done in Sodom they would have repented. Indicating that Chorazin will receive a greater judgment then Sodom because of their accountability level by saying woe and comparing them. I think though that generally it is just the nature of God to be just and part of being just would be to give out equal punishments to the sin committed. If Stalin were not more greatly judged that would be outrageous. If a man in a dark land with no full witness of the Gospel who took care of his family and things like that though for sure was a sinner like all men before Christ were judged equally with Hitler that would be outrageous. So, I think we can be glad to say that God does not put full wrath for eternity on every single human being though of course any place outside of Christ in any level of hell for eternity is a great depth of woe.

Brother Leo,

You have always lovingly and tenderly guided me in my struggles, and I am truly grateful. After posting yesterday, I was overcome with such a grief I could barely kneel let alone refrain from weeping. I kept praying for my parents until I felt a sense of relief. I woke up and still felt this sense of burden on my heart. Your advice is really fantastic! Just concentrate on my own walk and be a living example, something for my parents to strive for. Of course, this is why I back out of any arguments that come up, so that I don't disrespect these people I care deeply for.

Brother Haydock, thank you as well for answering my post. I did ask before what or why Mom believed what she did, and she said it was due to her mother being Catholic, her mother's parents, etc. (A 'generations' explanation if you will.) My father, on the other hand, was raised another denomination but fell away from it in his sailor days. He became Catholic so that I would be raised under one religion and not two separate denominations. Cafeteria Catholics aptly describes my parents, so there may be hope yet. But everytime Mom brings up something and I say "I don't believe in that" (usually St. Worship and prayer cards), I feel like I'm slapping her in the face and disrespecting her feelings.

That being said, if one gains the state of saving grace but loses it, is it possible for that person to once-again cleave to Jesus for salvation, or is that person doomed for Hell? I started my Christian walk a couple months ago in September, and I recently backslid and am afraid I could be headed somewhere I don't want to go. The backslide is my responsibility, but how do I fix things? (Sometimes I just wish I was more mature in the faith so I was certain about things!)

There are many things that weigh me down on a daily basis, and I thank God for all of you and your prayers. They mean a lot to me. May God bless you all! (And you too brother JDL for having patience with me.)