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The author of the column, “I’m certain there isn’t an occupancy limit in heaven” (Faith Page, 7/31/26), expressed the thought that God’s message of infinite mercy, love and grace” would seem to exclude “the concept of hell." “We all form our understanding of who God is because of so many factors ... After all, who is right? … If you claim to know ‘the Truth’ … you’re wiser than I am.”
I would like to claim that God’s Word is Truth. When being questioned by Pilate, the Roman governor in Jerusalem, Jesus was asked if he was indeed a king. Jesus explained that his kingdom was not of this world. When questioned further, Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a King. In fact for this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked. (John 18:36-38)
The words of John 3:16 are familiar to many people and state the simple truth of God’s promise to all people. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus expressed this truth again when he prayed before he was arrested, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you … Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:1-3)
God gave us commandments to live by to honor him and to know how to love our neighbor, but we do not keep them perfectly. Jesus death on the cross paid for the sins of all people. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.” (Romans 23:26) In chapter 23 of Matthew, Jesus speaks seven”woes” to the Pharisees, who felt they kept God’s commandments perfectly and did not need a Savior. “You snakes! You vipers!”, Jesus said, “How will you escape being condemned to hell?” (verse 33)
“In this world you will have trouble,” Jesus said. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Faith in our Savior makes us 100 percent sure of heavenly joy. “Now faith is being
sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)
Trudy Madetzke
Marshall
P.S. We do learn of two Pharisees who had a change of heart. One was Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night. Jesus spoke the words of John 3:16 during his visit. The other was Saul of Tarsus who is better known as the Apostle Paul, a dedicated missionary and writer of letters included in the New Testament.” God wants all to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (from Paul’s first letter to Timothy, chapter 2, verse 4)