I recently asked myself a challenging question. It’s challenging because of its implications.
Here’s the question: If I truly believed, in the deepest part of my heart, that Hell is real, how should that belief affect my life?
This goes to the very heart of the Christian faith because Jesus spoke more about Hell than about Heaven. If I profess to believe Him, then I must believe what He said.
But surely, if God is love—if He is good—Hell cannot possibly exist.
That was a subconscious thought that lingered in my mind until I wrote Hitler, God, and the Bible. After studying the horrors of Nazi Germany, I stopped asking, “How could Hell exist?” and began asking, “How could it not?” If God is truly good—if He cares about justice and truth—then there must be a Day of Judgment.
The Bible warns that God is so holy and just that He will not only judge those who slaughtered innocent people but also liars, thieves, blasphemers, adulterers, and fornicators. Scripture says His judgment will be so thorough that it will grind to powder. When something is ground to powder, nothing remains untouched.
So how should these truths affect me as a Christian? That was the challenging question. My conclusion was simple: if I truly believe in Hell, nothing else should matter more.
If I believe in Hell, life will take on a new sense of urgency. The things that seem so important—my comfort, happiness, possessions, money, and entertainment—will shrink into their proper perspective. I will say with Paul, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” (2 Corinthians 5:11)
The moment I understand what Jesus saved me from, I will understand what He saved me for—to warn every man so that we may present every man perfect in Christ. Why? Because the love of Christ compels us. Jesus put it this way: “To whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” (Luke 7:47)
If I believe in Hell, it will transform my prayer life. Instead of merely pleading with God to meet my own needs, I will plead with Him for the salvation of the lost. I will groan in prayer and echo David’s words: “Horror has taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.” (Psalm 119:53)
If I believe in Hell, I will not be able to walk past an unbeliever without looking into their eyes and grieving over what awaits if they die in their sins. I will overcome my fear of rejection and share the gospel. How could I do otherwise? I will remember the disciples in Acts who, when commanded to remain silent, replied, “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20)
Believing in Hell will make me patient with those who mock or oppose the gospel. My goal is not to win arguments but to win people. The stakes are too high for me to be driven by pride or a desire to be right.
Believing in Hell will also change how I see other believers. I will view each one as a fellow soldier in God’s army and do everything I can to encourage, strengthen, and equip them for the battle.
If I believe in Hell, I will linger over passages in God’s Word that speak of sin, judgment, righteousness, and God’s holiness. I won’t merely search for promises that make my life more comfortable. I will search for truths that make me a more faithful witness for Christ.
If I believe in Hell, there will be a tear in my eye when I pray and a tear in my voice when I preach.
May God help us not merely acknowledge the reality of Hell, but truly believe it.
