What About “Scaring” Folks Into Heaven?
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesThis writer recalls that forty to sixty years ago, some of the pioneer preachers in America preached “hell fire and brimstone” sermons. They could so graphically portray the fire of hell, that some folks in their audiences believed they could almost feel the “blistering flames!” Scaring folks might have been warranted as a means of penetrating the rough exterior of people who had become calloused by the hardness of life (i.e., “The Great Depression” era).
The Era Of “Political Correctness”
Can we even imagine how that kind of preaching would fit into today’s “political correctness,” “positive mental attitude,” and “positive preaching only” mindset? The subtleness of these modern day philosophies can (and do) create a softness in our preaching. Under these conditions, there is an ever present danger of weakening our fight against error and sin. No one enjoys having to deal with sin and error, because most of us like for people to like us.
However, if we are not extremely careful, we may well compromise the very basis of our relationship with God in order to have friends and associates which please us. And, in the process of pursuing what we like, and what makes us feel good, the fear of disobeying God is neglected (cf. Exodus 32:6-8; 1 Corinthians 10:7).
Fear Is Not All Bad
Fear is not all bad. We have all felt the stark terror in realization of a real danger. That kind of fear has caused us to avoid circumstances which are harmful to our well-being. Knowing this, how much more should we should be “scared to death” of spending an eternity in a devil’s hell where we are eternally separated from God, love and righteousness (Isaiah 59:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:9)? God’s purpose, in speaking of hell, is designed to make man afraid of going there.
Eternal Abandonment And Hell
Eternal abandonment by God is described as fire (Matthew 13:42; Matthew 25:41; Matthew 25:46; Matthew 18:7-9; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 20:15). Hell is also described as outer darkness (Matthew 8:12; Matthew 22:13). The total absence of God’s presence and the experiencing of perpetual pain, will be accompanied by total despair (Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:24). There will be heard the sounds of weeping and the gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:42).
The Tender Heart
If all hearts wanted to do right before God, there would be no need for telling man to be afraid of the consequential punishment for violators. The tender heart would be so moved by the love of God, that it would never want to offend; and having offended, would come with great remorse before the throne of God in repentance, because it would be conscious of the effect sin has on God. But that’s not the way we are, so we have to be reminded of the awfulness of hell in order to understand the terribleness of sin.
God As “A Consuming Fire”
When God describes Himself as “a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29; cf. Exodus 24:17; Deuteronomy 4:24), He is saying to man, “Be very afraid of offending Me.” Any man who says he is not afraid of going to hell, does not really understand the righteousness of God which demands the eternal horribleness of hell. Such a man is truly a fool.
Conclusion:
No, brethren and friends, we can’t “scare” folks into heaven, but we can surely awaken them to a holy reverence for God that can start them toward heaven by scaring them “out” of the possibility of an eternal hell (cf. Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).