One reason why some reject the reality of Hell is because of God’s unconditional love for humanity. They mistakenly assume that God’s love will automatically grant sinners access to Heaven when they die, despite their unredeemed, sinful state. Yet, that is not what the Bible teaches.
Yes, God is a loving God. The Bible also says God is love. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” 1 John 4:19 states, “We love, because He first loved us,” and 1 John 4:8 declares, “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
However, God is not loving exclusively. He is also holy, righteous, and just. As such, God’s attributes must always function concurrently and in perfect harmony with each other, not independently or exclusively of one another. Otherwise, God would not (and could not) be God.
For example, if God were to close His eyes to sin and allow everyone into Heaven because He loves them, He would violate His holiness, righteousness, and justice and cease to be God at that moment. That is because God’s holiness demands sinless perfection; His righteousness requires all unrighteousness to be judged, and His justice necessitates that all sinners be punished despite His unconditional love for them.
That was why the cross was so pivotal, because it was the only way God could save sinners from eternity in Hell without violating any of His divine attributes!
Jesus’ perfect life of obedience on the Earth, lived on behalf of all sinners, satisfied God’s righteous requirement for holy living—something sinners could never accomplish on their own. His suffering on the cross for everyone’s sins satisfied God’s demand for sin to be punished. Lastly, Jesus’ sacrificial death for sinners satisfied God’s mandate for justice.
Consequently, sinners who repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus for what He accomplished on their behalf are forgiven of their sins, rendered righteous in God’s sight, and receive eternal life (see Acts 3:19, Romans 3:22, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Colossians 2:13-14, Acts 10:43, Ephesians 1:7-8, and Ephesians 2:8-9).
However, those who reject Jesus’ provision on the cross will suffer for their sins in Hell, followed by the Lake of Fire, because no other means exists for them to be forgiven and redeemed apart from Jesus and His shed blood (see John 14:6, Acts 4:12, John 3:16-18, 1 John 5:10-12, and John 3:36).
Therefore, Hell exists because God cannot overlook sin despite His love for sinners. Yet His love for sinners made a way for them to be forgiven and avoid Hell, should they receive Jesus by faith as Savior.
I hope this information helps you understand why Hell exists in light of God’s love for humanity.
