Do you believe there is a place called hell, and if so, where is it? Why would a loving God create such a place?

Yes, I believe there is a place called hell because Jesus said there was. He said it was a literal place that we don’t want to go to. As to where it is, the Bible teaches it’s below the earth somewhere. The Psalmist David wrote, “For great is your mercy toward me and you have delivered my soul from the depths of hell” – Psalm 86:13.  Also, the Bible says, “The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may turn away from hell below” – Proverbs 15:24. One thing for sure, hell isn’t where heaven is!

As to why God would create such a place? Hell wasn’t originally created for human beings, it was created for the devil and his demons. The Bible says, “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, “Depart from Me you cursed into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” – Matthew 25:41.  However, anyone who rejects God’s only means of salvation will end up there too. The good news is, God made it easy for us to be saved from hell and to live in heaven with Him. Jesus said,

“Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know and the way you know”. Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me” – John 14:1-6.

The way to heaven is through having our sins forgiven and knowing Jesus Christ. It’s easy because we don’t have to work for it or try to earn it. Instead, we only have to admit we are sinners, ask God to forgive us and turn from a life of sin. Then we become followers of Christ in gratefulness for what He’s done for us.