Happiness in Hell
Happiness is desired by everyone. I want it. You want it. Our kids and grandkids want it. There are no exceptions. This is why it becomes such a lethal tool of the devil.
And it is also why my Cross Point title this week is antithetical. No one who believes in hell believes you can be happy there. The words happiness and hell are at polar opposites. Now if you don’t believe in hell, that’s a topic for another time. But happiness means you feel good, that you’re in a good spot, that you possibly are fulfilled in some way, it’s positive, in short you are happy. On the other hand, hell is a place the Bible describes as a place of suffering, with fire, where the worm never dies, it’s negative, in short you are very very unhappy.
That said, as a Christian, we must consider the concept of hell. We live in an age when happiness has become the mantra of our society. We seem to think it’s the all-in-all. We must sacrifice whatever it takes to be happy. So, if you have an unplanned pregnancy that may not make you happy, something must be done. If, even before that, you have met someone who has great appeal to you, well the act of sex could be the key to your happiness. If you have homosexual tendencies, give in to them, after all that is what will make you happy. On and on this mindset takes you.
This theme can be understood by those who don’t believe in God, who doubt there is an eternity, who have no hope of heaven or fear of hell. They believe this life is all there is, so why would you deny yourself what will make you happy? The trouble is, far too many “Christians” seem to have the same way of thinking. Why? I think it’s because far too many Christians have quit paying attention to the teaching of Jesus and his apostles. Many church leaders have taught a cheap grace that only requires a quick prayer and a thin belief in Jesus. You won’t find such a prayer in scripture, and when examined the concept of believing in Jesus as the Christ, as Lord and Savior, involves response. We are faulty people as Christ-followers, and that’s OK, grace is sufficient, but stumbling as we follow is not the same as not following. We must follow in faith. In this world of sin, that doesn’t always lead to happiness.
If we follow Jesus, where is he leading us? To character development, to a purposeful life, but eventually to heaven. We don’t just die and that’s it, Jesus takes us to heaven. But there’s a flip side to this coin. If we reject Jesus and refuse to follow, there is another destination. Do we, as Christ followers, think we’ll be happy there? Certainly not.
The question becomes: Are we willing to agree with God about what is sin, repent of it, reject it, move away from it, even if it could make us happy in this life? The initial call for a new believer in Jesus comes from the words of the Apostle Peter when he gives the first sermon after the resurrection, where he says, “Repent and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you…” (Acts 2:38, 39). Will we reject the initial call to repent? Surely, we don’t want to reject the promise that comes with it.
Unless we think we can be happy in hell, we need to realize that as appealing as happiness is, it is not our chief objective in this life. Jesus and his way is. So be willing to make the sacrifices necessary to truly be following the Lord. Then, surprise, heaven will provide all the happiness you ever wanted!
Cross Point: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth…a voice saying, ‘Look, God’s dwelling place is now among the people…he will wipe away every tear…the old order has passed away” (Revelation 21:1,3, 4). Happy at last!
And it is also why my Cross Point title this week is antithetical. No one who believes in hell believes you can be happy there. The words happiness and hell are at polar opposites. Now if you don’t believe in hell, that’s a topic for another time. But happiness means you feel good, that you’re in a good spot, that you possibly are fulfilled in some way, it’s positive, in short you are happy. On the other hand, hell is a place the Bible describes as a place of suffering, with fire, where the worm never dies, it’s negative, in short you are very very unhappy.
That said, as a Christian, we must consider the concept of hell. We live in an age when happiness has become the mantra of our society. We seem to think it’s the all-in-all. We must sacrifice whatever it takes to be happy. So, if you have an unplanned pregnancy that may not make you happy, something must be done. If, even before that, you have met someone who has great appeal to you, well the act of sex could be the key to your happiness. If you have homosexual tendencies, give in to them, after all that is what will make you happy. On and on this mindset takes you.
This theme can be understood by those who don’t believe in God, who doubt there is an eternity, who have no hope of heaven or fear of hell. They believe this life is all there is, so why would you deny yourself what will make you happy? The trouble is, far too many “Christians” seem to have the same way of thinking. Why? I think it’s because far too many Christians have quit paying attention to the teaching of Jesus and his apostles. Many church leaders have taught a cheap grace that only requires a quick prayer and a thin belief in Jesus. You won’t find such a prayer in scripture, and when examined the concept of believing in Jesus as the Christ, as Lord and Savior, involves response. We are faulty people as Christ-followers, and that’s OK, grace is sufficient, but stumbling as we follow is not the same as not following. We must follow in faith. In this world of sin, that doesn’t always lead to happiness.
If we follow Jesus, where is he leading us? To character development, to a purposeful life, but eventually to heaven. We don’t just die and that’s it, Jesus takes us to heaven. But there’s a flip side to this coin. If we reject Jesus and refuse to follow, there is another destination. Do we, as Christ followers, think we’ll be happy there? Certainly not.
The question becomes: Are we willing to agree with God about what is sin, repent of it, reject it, move away from it, even if it could make us happy in this life? The initial call for a new believer in Jesus comes from the words of the Apostle Peter when he gives the first sermon after the resurrection, where he says, “Repent and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you…” (Acts 2:38, 39). Will we reject the initial call to repent? Surely, we don’t want to reject the promise that comes with it.
Unless we think we can be happy in hell, we need to realize that as appealing as happiness is, it is not our chief objective in this life. Jesus and his way is. So be willing to make the sacrifices necessary to truly be following the Lord. Then, surprise, heaven will provide all the happiness you ever wanted!
Cross Point: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth…a voice saying, ‘Look, God’s dwelling place is now among the people…he will wipe away every tear…the old order has passed away” (Revelation 21:1,3, 4). Happy at last!