REASON #40
If Hell is real, there would be no reconciliation to our sin, thus nullifying the work Jesus accomplished on the cross!
God must have closure for sin. He insists on it. That’s why Jesus died the death penalty on the cross.
He paid the death penalty for all of mankind’s sin, yours and mine. Since his crucifixion and his resurrection are historically verifiable facts, we can see that Jesus did not pay the ‘eternal life in the torments of Hell’ penalty.
If God gave him special treatment because he was sinless or because Jesus was his Son, he would not have truly become sin for us, and thus there would be no reconciliation. He had to put sin to death.
Notice Ephesians 2:13 ‘But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the (penalty of the?) law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of the two, one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:’
And Colossians 1:14-29 ‘In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has he reconciled 22 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and un-reproveable in his sight:
23 If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: 25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Where unto I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.’
Note that he did NOT reconcile us to God the Father through the eternal punishment of the tortures of Hell Fire, but through death. Sin had to die. If on-going eternal punishing were God’s requirement for our sins, Jesus would have had to pay that penalty, but God still would not find closure there because it would remain ON-GOING. Jesus would have to burn in Hell for all time to come.
There would be no end to it. But thanks be to God we do have a Savior who paid the correct penalty (death) putting a permanent end to sin and its penalty, thereby reconciling us together with God. Thank God we have a loving Father who provided for us a permanent way out!