FAITH & CULTURE PROJECT: Why Do Good People Go to Hell?

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and the resulting is that it doesn’t seem true. Critics argue that the Bible’s portrayal of a cursed, God-hating condition that involves a desperate need for does not align with reality. They point to so-called good people who appear to live decent and morally upright lives. Although nonreligious, when questioned about God, they do not claim to despise Him and even praise the good work the church does for the community.

To many, it seems utterly contradictory that a medical doctor, who spends their life healing the sick—even risking their own life in the process—could be labeled a natural enemy of God and destined for Hell. And what about the philanthropist who donates millions to feed and educate the poor or digs wells in Africa? Is he also a God-hater?

Furthermore, do these people deserve for rejecting the ? Is it fair for them to go to Hell simply for their indifference? Is God so petty? Don’t the lives of such people exemplify the love of God to a hurting world? Doesn’t their service and sacrifice for humanity surpass that of most Christians? Isn’t this what Jesus Christ emphasized throughout His earthly ministry? To the outside observer, it would appear that the is nothing more than a demanding egomaniac who fails to live up to His own ideals. Perhaps it’s true that the Christian message is truly outdated, nothing more than that no reasonable person should accept beyond that of moral instruction.

At first glance, it does seem uncharacteristic for God to render such a verdict against those whom most would consider the best the world has to offer. However, there are compelling reasons to render such a verdict. Consider the consequences of the . After our original parents sinned against God in , a curse was pronounced upon and all his descendants. Despite outward appearances, mankind now experiences a variety of . Our minds and wills are now bent toward evil. We are rendered spiritually blind and spiritually dead, who will no longer have Him in our thinking. Our thoughts toward Him are continually evil, and we are now subject to unrelenting hardships, including physical death.

Nevertheless, despite the depravity recorded in the Bible, the was not completely erased. To be sure, fallen man is wholly corrupt and depraved, yet there are still vestiges of what he once was, remnants of his original state. As a result, he discovers propensities and principles within himself that are appealing, even . He soon learns that by adhering to these inclinations he can lead a meaningful and fulfilling life. He can be happy. However, despite these , they do not lead him to God. In fact, he is indignant to the God who stands behind these image-bearing attributes—the very God through whom these qualities exist.

Fallen man is concerned only with himself and his desires. The doctor and the philanthropist find happiness in helping others, but they have no more desire to glorify God than any . Regardless of the selfless lives they appear to lead, their actions are ultimately rooted in self-interest. Although they may express genuine care for the poor and needy, it stems only from their inherent programming and not from a desire to please, honor, and glorify the God who endowed them with those predispositions. Deep down, they harbor nothing but disdain for Him. If God were to appear and instruct them to act differently, or do something else, they would gladly reject His guidance and go their own way.

This is why doctors, philanthropists, and other so-called good people of this world face when they die. It might sound strange, but they deserve it. They are only self-serving, God-hating criminals of a more deceptive variety. This is their true nature, despite outward appearances. This reminds me of the man that theologian once described as an upright individual who always drives 55 miles per hour. He appears law-abiding and respectable, but in reality, he simply prefers to drive at that speed. If the speed limit were raised to 85 mph, he would still drive 55. If it were lowered to 35 mph, he would still drive 55. He just happens to like 55 mph. There is nothing godly or respectable about him; it only appears that way.

For more on this topic and its implications, such as Do Infants Go to Hell When They Die?, see another short ebook in this series titled, How Can I Be Guilty of Adam’s Sin? Here’s an excerpt.

Self-Deluded Middle Class America

“Probably the most self-deluded people in the world are . If you were to ask them if they’re when they die, they would quickly answer that question with another question: Why wouldn’t I go to Heaven? They see themselves as good, decent, and upstanding people. They drive nice cars, have nice homes, good jobs, and well-dressed children. They have never hurt anyone, nor committed any serious crimes, and are held in high regard by their neighbors and fellow citizens. “Why would God send me to Hell?” they ask. “I haven’t done anything deserving of it.”’

The Gospel Message

If you would like to escape God’s certain judgment upon mankind, there is a way. You may have heard this message before, but for those who haven’t: , was sent into the world as an act of divine intervention on behalf of fallen man. Jesus lived a perfect and sinless life, fulfilling God’s laws perfectly where Adam had failed. He was inevitably betrayed by one of His own and crucified on a . This is where He was offered as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. On the third day, He was raised from the dead, proving Himself to be the accepted sacrifice to God. Through His sinless life and sacrificial death, Jesus satisfied the demands of God’s justice. If you repent of your sins and place your trust in Him, your sins will be forgiven and you will have everlasting life.