Is it hard or easy to get to hell?

[expectthebest]

Reply: Davidv

Perhaps this will help you?

Davids reply reflects Church teaching but it goes beyond his reply.

As soon as we die, we will instantly Judged by God.

We will know two things:

1.    Where we are going to spend eternity! Heaven (now or later after Prugatory.

2.    And that we will, or will not be in the presence of God.

       The Church teaches that it is precisely this knowledge that make hell; HELL! And heaven, HEAVEN!

        Those of us in need of purification endure the same tortures as those in Hell, EXCEPT, will know that it is temporary, and that they too will be in the presence of God.

         Everyone who sent themselves to Hell, will instantly know that God does exist, God is in charge, and agree with God that they had the opportunity NOT TO SEND THEMSELVES to Hell:blush: :thumbsup:

I am having some trouble understanding how one can be given an eternal punishment or reward based upon the finite capabilities of the human mind and understanding. Do we tuely have free will when the punishment for wrong choices is incomprehensible?

 

[PJM]

I am having some trouble understanding how one can be given an eternal punishment or reward based upon the finite capabilities of the human mind and understanding. Do we tuely have free will when the punishment for wrong choices is incomprehensible?

Good question:tiphat:

In Chapter Nine of Genesis, God tells us of His decision to "created man in His Own Image." God is Spirit, so how are we like God?

We are like God in that God has given to each human person, a mind (seperate from the brain which consist of MATTER) and intellect, a memeory, a freewill and a soul. OF these the soul, comes closest to the "image of God," because it is what annimates us, makes us alive.**All of these too are "spirit."**

It is quite natual to fear the “loss of heaven and the pains of hell.”

However these realities should not play a signifiant role in how we lead our lives. 1 Cor. 10: 31 “31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Sets the tone for why God Created us, and what God expects from us.

Is God asking too much of us? I think not. God who “All everything Good.” has Blessed us with all of the “tools” we need to accomplish Good and avoid evil." That is why we have intellects, minds, memories, and freewills.

God knows that it’s not easy (nor is it supposed to be) so He sent His Son into the world, made for a time a little less than the Angels, as a man, like us in everyway BUT SIN! He suffered and died for us, and with His death and Resurrection, Christ Redeems us!

“Redeemption” and Salvation are seperate issues, with vastly different meaning. By Redeeming us is meant that it is noe possible for humanity, under very specific conditions, to attain Heaven.

Because it is God who seeks a relationship with us, far more ardently, than we strive for relationship with Him, and because of
being born "in sin… (Orginal Sin) Jesus shows Gods love for us in a special way, that allows Him to aid us in working out our Salvation. He becomes our Bread and Wine in Catholic Holy Communion! Not a sign, nor a mere symbol, but REALLY JESUS Himself, in His now Glorified Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity!

It is because we can recogonize that God loves us, so much that He becomes “inanimate” in order to be really with us. No greater source of the Grace we need to get to heaven, is available to us on planet earth!

With our intellects, our minds, our memories we ARE ABLE TO KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG, and God expects us with His help to do what is right and avoid what is evil.

God assures us by the death of His Son Jesus, that every human person will be given sufficient GRACE and OPPORTUNITY to successfully avoid evil and gain heaven. Yet more will go to hell than to heaven! Why? Beause it is sooooo easy:thumbsup:

But it is not an automatic! We have to be baptized, obey all of His Commandments (which are only catagory headings of sin), practice herotic charity and obey all of the Official teachings of His Church.

Our wills are indeed “free” to chose good or to chose evil. It is on this basis, that God is All Just, and Completely Fair!

Does this clarify for you, your concerns?