[quote author=phazel link=topic=6454.msg51902#msg51902 date=1203021246
Hi phazel
While I do not believe in Hell.
According to basic Christian theology, we (we being believers) are responsible to evangelize the world and we will be held accountable for those that we do not spread the word to.
The reasons why we fail at evangelizing the world are many, complacency, fear, lack of care, not willing to sacrifice (whatever it would take) money, time, etc.
Once during my church going days I had a thought about just how terrible I was at witnessing, how thoughtless I was to feel great about my salvation while those I failed to witness to are either burning in hell forever or simply eternally separated from God doomed to an eternal sorrow and regret.
Sorry, Christians, the appeal to emotion to trivialize eternal separation from God by saying it is not "torture" but eternal sorrow have NO clue the torture depression really is. So to say separation from God would not be torture is pathetic.
trish here.
I can sympathize
with what you are saying, and separation from God and his presence or place of peace/love/ and rest
in him, well I wouldn't wish that upon anyone.......those who don't know Jesus or have a personal relationship with God
Are suffering....torments of, just to name afew..fear..sickness..diseases..depression..opression..demon possession.
experiencing these kinds of torments can seem to those without God's presence, may seem like eternal torture and weather
we like it or not reality is people do live their lives in darkness..we have an enemy who does torment or torture lost souls or
unsaved....I think sometimes we can for get where we came from before ever having any kind of relationship with God,
going through some sort of calamity....I personally am grieved at some of the response on here...seems insensitive and numb.
I agree with you we are accountable if we do anything or if we don't, and i am reminded of what God will say to us on the
day we stand before him;
(matt 25:34,35-40)
Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father;
take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
for I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you
invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink,
when did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you, when did we see you sick and in prison and
go to visit you; The King will reply, ' I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did
for me.
May the Holy Spirit comfort you, your not alone and he understands and knows your heart, I share your tears and heart felt...If
I am grieved at some of the unsupportive response here then i am sure the holy spirit is too....let not your heart be troubled
May God truthly Bless you in every way!!
trish