"You're Going to Hell!"

There are few tings more devastating to a Christian's witness than condemnation from the judgmental hypocrite.  I sadly confess as I young child I once told a neighbour he was going to hell for some petty issue.  When the accusing words flew out of my mouth, it was a fleshly response to conflict without a hint of compassion or love.  My mother was wise to quickly discipline me for such folly in my youth, for I learned early the error of such hurtful and divisive censure.
 
"But people are going to hell," some might protest.  "Isn't it the loving thing to do to tell them where they will spend eternity if they remain in sin?"  Ah, but there is a loving way to communicate biblical truth.  Jesus met many people heading to eternal destruction in hell, but He never raised His voice to utter the phrase, "You're going to hell!"  If Jesus, who intimately and perfectly knew the hearts of men never spoke to sinners in that fashion, we are foolish to think we know better than Christ.  Jesus talked about hell - a lot.  Again and again He spoke of the terrors of hell and everlasting torment which awaited those who died in their sins (Mark 9:43-48).  But there was no hint of accusation in His tone, no overweening self-righteousness present which so often accompanies the aforementioned phrase.

Because we are not God, we cannot know perfectly the hearts of men.  It would be presumptuous for us - on our authority or according to our limited understanding - to condemn souls of men to eternity in hellfire and outer darkness.  What we can do is meekly bring the Law to bear upon one who sins against God and places himself under His wrath.  We can say with Christ's authority what is proclaimed in Romans 6:23:  "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Without fear we can hold forth the truth of God's Word in Revelation 21:7-8:  "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. ⁸ But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."  Even as light reveals dust, so the light of God's Law reveals sin.  The same scriptures also bluntly hold forth the penalty for sin:  the soul that sins will surely die, and the second death is forever.

All people are born on earth are heading to hell because of our own sin, but God made a way for justice to be satisfied through the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus Christ.  Lay the heavy weight of the Law upon proud, self-righteous sinners so they might see their need for salvation and repent.  Give grace to the humble, showing the way of salvation through faith in Jesus.  But for your own sake and your listeners (who may not listen long and be further hardened against the message because of your harshness), take care you do not do great harm with hateful speech and condescending tones.  If we are severe in judging others, we will be severely judged on the Day of Judgment (Matthew 7:1-5).  Instead of threatening, take time to lead little lambs to the Saviour who loves them and does not desire their destruction (2 Peter 3:9).  Be compassionate towards those who are perishing, and trust God will grant them repentance leading to salvation.