The Threat of Hell
Consequence is a deterrent. Parents believe this is true. They threaten consequences for disobedience to certain rules because it works. We know the consequences for breaking the laws of the land. They serve as deterrents. Even policemen sitting in their cars along the highways are a deterrent to speeding.
Notice, however, that these things are merely deterrents. They are not preventatives. The threat of consequences for disobedience has not deterred children completely. It has not stopped speeding completely. And, it has not stopped criminal activity. Yet, these deterrents are still good and necessary.
God, too, understands the value of deterrents. Scripture is full of warnings and admonitions. Punishment for sin and consequences for disobedience are the themes of most of the biographical stories. The ultimate deterrent—hell—has more space devoted to it than is devoted to a discussion of heaven.
Why did God have so much to say about hell? Why did He not devote more space to the draw of heaven instead of the threat of hell? The answer surely must be that we are like children. Until we reach spiritual maturity, we are more likely to respond positively to a threat of punishment than to a promise of reward.
I John 4:18 has always intrigued me. The entire letter of I John is about learning to love. It is about perfecting love in our lives. Verse 18 then states, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear…”
It seems to me that part of the proper understanding of this verse has to do with spiritual maturity. So many of us began our journey with God submitting to baptism out of a desire to avoid hell. Remember how peaceful was that first night of sleep knowing that if you died you would be in heaven?
The threat of hell has motivated many people to obey the gospel. However, if a Christian never matures past this point, he will not understand real peace and security. The threat of hell, though, remains a good starting point for Christianity. It is a valuable deterrent for our lives.
Notice the words the Hebrews writer uses about this place called hell. He spoke of, “…a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.” (10:27), “worse punishment” (10:29), and “fearful thing” (10:31).
These words should deter us. They should stop us “dead in our tracks.” They should sober us. They were written for our good that we might be deterred from the direction our attachments to this earthly life are wanting to take us.
Hell was never intended for us (Matthew 25:41). Maybe we should see these words with the same trepidation that we feel when we see a police car ahead watching the traffic. Don’t you immediately look down and make sure you are not speeding? These words should make us look down and make sure that we are not careening down the wrong highway!!!
— Mike Johnson
