Do Good People Go to Hell (Part 1)?
Your congenial editor confesses that he once subscribed to the daily newspaper, which has become passe for most people these days. Recently, in an effort to clean and organize materials, the following article surfaced from the Orlando Sentinel (June 6, 2013). It was one of the letters that appeared in Judith Martin's "Miss Manners" column. A situation was described to her and a question asked. Part of that letter appears below.
"…a somewhat close friend of mine shared a mutual curiosity about religion, and we had an interesting conversation about our (very different) faiths. Curious about the concept of hell, I asked her, "If I was a good person all my life, a kind, giving, completely unselfish person, yet somewhat who believes differently, would I go to hell?
She told me in no uncertain terms that I would. Was this rude of her? Logically, I know I asked for it. But it felt as though she was telling me I was going to hell for having a different religion. Should I be offended?" (D3).
Miss Manners made several good comments, the last of which was: "So yes, open and honest conversations are impossible if you expect to weigh information to make sure that it is flattering." In other words, if you ask someone a question, be prepared that she will give a truthful answer. If you want an answer that is always going to agree with your assessment of the situation, don't ask the question. Miss Manners did well in giving advice on a social level.
But what is a good religious answer? We are somewhat limited in evaluating accurately because the lady did not specify what the two religions were. Is she a Buddhist, a Hindu, a universalist—what? Apparently, she does not believe in hell. So, she constructed a theoretical person who is kind, good, and unselfish. She evidently thinks this individual should not be condemned, based on her own merit. This would be salvation by good works. Although good works are essential, they cannot save a person because they cannot eradicate sin. If they could, then Jesus would not have had to die on the cross.
The only remedy for sin is the blood of Jesus, which He shed on the cross. Only it can wash our sins away (Rev. 1:5). Being unselfish, loving, and kind cannot remove anyone's sins. Jesus, "with His own blood," entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption (Heb. 9:12). He offered "one sacrifice for sins forever" (Heb. 10:12). The price has been paid; all can have salvation, but it comes through Christ's sacrifice—not our own merit.