What is Hell Like?

Ashley was in town yesterday and we went to our usual hangout locale where we can get great coffee and great food. We were talking about the students and about youth group on Sunday. She asked a brilliant question, "do you think they understand hell?" I told her that I thought so and that I make it a point to be real honest about hell and my understanding of it. But then Ash talked about how her dad explained it to her when she was younger... it was profound and I will do my best to re hash what she said.

Every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17). That means that laughter and friendships and relationships and joy and smiling and everything that you love comes from our heavenly Father. To be in hell means to be eternally separated from Him and His good gifts. Imagine for eternity never smiling, never having a moment of joy, never experiencing the feeling of being right with God, never having someone ask you how your day is going, never being able to laugh, or even feel comfortable. Never ever for a moment experiencing any of the joys that you have come to know in your lifetime. It sounds horrible. It sounds absolutely terrible.

That is why when Jesus explains it in Luke 16 the man in hell is in torment and begs for even just a drop of water(vs. 24). And he pleads that they could warn his brothers so they too will not come to 'this place of torment' (vs. 28). 

Friends, hell is misery. It is a separation from your loving Father and everything good you have ever experienced. Think of hell often and let your knowledge of hell and your love and awareness of the Giver of all good gifts be a motivation to share the news of salvation.