Hell

I’ve heard people joke that they think heaven would be boring—filled with people always praying and singing hymns—similar to an eternal church service. In contrast, they imagine that hell would be more entertaining—full of people who know how to let their hair down and have fun.

In his book, The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis describes heaven as a place for spiritually mature souls who want to be with God. He doesn’t really describe hell, but the reader is left with the assumption that it would be a place for those who would be more comfortable in darkness—away from the pure light of God.

I can see how some people would be very uncomfortable around decency, honor, and virtue. If you’ve always lived in a messy home, you might feel out of place in a clean, pristine environment. An outdoor animal might prefer rolling in dirt and mud rather than resting indoors on a clean bed. If I were invited to dine with the President, I would need some etiquette training. If I showed up in my normal attire and used my current table manners, I would be uncomfortable, even if it didn’t bother anyone else.

A clean life prepares us for heaven. Honesty, integrity, generosity, faithfulness, self-control, temperance, chastity, kindness—these disciplines train us to feel at home in the presence of God. On the other hand, a sinful nature makes us prefer the presence of like-minded people who would rather live in darkness.