Why Is Eternity In Hell A Just Punishment?

You or someone you may know may ask the question, "Why would a loving God send people to Hell?" This is a good question, but to answer it, we must understand exactly who God is first.

 1. God Himself is eternal with no beginning or end (Genesis 1:1)

2. God is a judge who judges with righteousness and justice (Psalm 97:2)

3. God has set laws in place (Exodus 20:1-17)

4. God is perfect (Deuteronomy 32:4)

Therefore, God is an eternal, perfect judge who has set His laws in place over mankind.

Since God is the Creator, mankind (creation) is supposed to submit to Him. So whenever we break God's rules, we instantly sin against an eternal and perfect being. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). This is within the context of spiritual death... so the payment due that we have to pay God with is spiritual death.

Rightfully so! We have all sinned against God, who is perfect (therefore imperfection is not allowed in Heaven) and eternal (thus the eternal punishment of Hell). Additionally, since God is the judge, He then is the one determining the eternal destination for all of mankind.

So why is Hell a just punishment?

Hell is a just punishment given by God because He gives us a choice, literally in life-or-death terms. Jesus Christ, one with the Father and Holy Spirit as God, took the nature of a man. Jesus, fully God and fully man, lived the perfect life that we could not live because we are sinners. Jesus took the punishment that was supposed to be ours, being tortured, crucified, died, and was risen on the third day, proving that He is God. Jesus took our punishment and bore it Himself... God's choice for us is to accept Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf, or we can pay for our sins eternally in Hell. God loves us so much that He gives us the choice to choose (John 3:16-36).

If this seems unfair, remember that God is the Creator and we are the creation. We cannot judge God because He is perfect and we are not (Psalm 14:3). For God to rule with justice and righteousness, He cannot be a corrupt judge. In the same way, a good judge on earth does not accept a bribe, neither does God; in the same way that a murderer and thief go to jail, the same way those not accepting of Jesus' perfect sacrifice go to Hell (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Revelation 21:8).

Jesus paid the debt of sin, but sadly, those who go to Hell refuse His offer.