This is a question that is asked probably daily throughout the world. Those of us who know God usually answer the question by saying "He doesn't" which is true. But it doesn't end with “He doesn’t” because since “He doesn't” then who does or how does one find themselves destined for hell?
John 3:17 & 18...
"For God did not send his Son into the world to CONDEMN the world, but in order that the world might be SAVED through Him. Whoever BELIEVES in Him is not CONDEMNED, but whoever does not BELIEVE is CONDEMNED already, because he has not BELIEVED in the name of the only Son of God.”
In this verse, we find the answer to the questions at hand. God, Himself does not send anyone to hell, people send themselves to hell not BELIEVING IN JESUS, the Son of God, the one who SAVES. The loving God has gives the world the right to choose to go to hell or heaven by choosing to BELIEVE IN JESUS or not. The power in our BELIEVING, the power to save. Unfortunately, there is also power in unbelief; the power to condemn.
Everything that Jesus came to do, was sent to do contained this power. In one place He says that His words contain the power to give life (John 6:63). And in another place, He says that His flesh contains the power to cause those who eat of it to never die (John 6:54). Jesus also said that following Him would lead us to eternity. So when we look at the words and the works of Jesus we see that life is contained throughout them. And the word of God makes it simple by simply saying BELIEVE and eternal life is yours. What this loving God did and does is give us the opportunity to choose where we want to spend eternity. We choose this. He has told us what both destinations will be comprised of.
A loving God, our God, creator of the heavens and the earth and all that dwells in them, has simply said choose. Ultimately we are choosing between condemnation or eternal life, perishing or being saved but really BELIEVING in JESUS whom He sent or not.
Remember back to the story of the rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-27) who asked Jesus what did he have to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments which we would have to believe that Jesus already knew that the rich young ruler was already doing and the young man said that he was. Then Jesus says that he was still lacking one thing and He tells him to go and sell all his possessions, give them to the poor and follow Him; to have treasures in heaven. This is where this young man had to really make a choice to do what Jesus says to do. It was a hard choice to make for this rich young ruler. There was a price to be paid to inherit eternal life. It was going to cost him something just as it cost us something if not everything we value. Now, remember, this young man approached Jesus with this question so I believe that he was drawn to Him and the idea of eternal life. But even though he approached Jesus the truth is he wasn't willing to do what was required and so he walked away sorrowful...he wanted eternal life but wasn't willing to pursue it. His pursuit ultimately reflected his heart.
The rich young ruler simply chooses to walk away because in his mind the requirement for eternal life was too much. But like him, many choose to walk away even today because in their mind the requirement; to BELIEVE IN JESUS is too much. Choice made. And all God does, as Jesus did is say in a sense, don’t let the stuff, your stuff get in the way of you entering the kingdom of heaven.
BELIEVING IN JESUS requires something from all of us and it reflects the pursuits of our hearts. Entering the kingdom of heaven truly requires something from all of us. Having eternal life requires something. Being saved requires something from us all but so does being condemned and perishing. That something again ultimately is BELIEVING IN JESUS and EXALTING HIM. And when you do you will follow Him and keep His word.
This is the way that our loving God decided to determine who spends eternity in heaven and or hell. He gives it to us. We make the choice. We punch our ticket.
So again, GOD DOES NOT SEND PEOPLE TO HELL.
He loves us too much to do that.
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