We’ve all heard the question—sometimes whispered in fear, sometimes shouted in debate: “What happens to those who don’t believe?”
It’s not a question to dismiss lightly. Behind it are real hearts, real fears, and real people we love. And for those of us who trust in a God of mercy, it often leads to an inner tug-of-war: How do we reconcile the relentless love of Christ with the idea of eternal exclusion?
I’ve walked with this tension for a long time. And I’ve come to believe that non-belief isn’t a technicality that sends someone to hell—it’s a heartbreak that isolates them from the relationship they were made for. In truth, I think non-belief is already a form of hell: a separation, a silence, a soul that hasn’t yet heard it is safe to come home.
But let me be clear—this isn’t just my opinion. There is a deeper witness, woven through Scripture, echoed by the early Church, and whispered by the Spirit into hearts like mine. This blog is my offering to those of you who wrestle too.
I believe God’s love is constant, not contingent. Grace is not a reward—it’s a reality. Being cut off from God is not punishment—it’s emptiness. I trust that God’s mercy outlasts death, and exclusion is not divine vengeance—it’s often our refusal to be embraced.
Scripture Whispers of a Larger Mercy
- 1 Timothy 2:4 – God “desires all people to be saved.”
- John 12:32 – “When I am lifted up… I will draw all people to myself.”
- Romans 5:18 – “…justification and life for all people.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:22 – “In Christ, all will be made alive.”
- Colossians 1:20 – “…to reconcile all things to Himself.”
- Luke 15 – The Father ran, not after the obedient, but the lost.
These are not the whispers of exclusion. They are invitations. Promises. Echoes of a love that cannot be boxed in.
Ancient Voices in Agreement
- Origen (3rd century): Hoped for the restoration of all souls.
- Gregory of Nyssa (4th century): Taught that love will outlast all rejection.
- Isaac of Nineveh (7th century): “Do not call God just… His justice is mercy.”
These were not fringe heretics. These beloved pillars of the early church trusted God’s mercy to be even more radical than our minds could grasp.
Hell—But Not How We Thought
Hell is real. But maybe not as a pit for the punished—it’s more like a place of exile where love is refused. Robert Capon said it like this:
“Hell is for losers. The lost sheep. The lost coin. The lost son. And the whole mission of Jesus is to go get the losers. So… God doesn’t just find the lost—He only finds the lost.”
And C.S. Lewis reminds us in The Great Divorce that hell may just be a place we insist on staying, not because God locks us in, but because we’ve forgotten how to open the door.
What I Say When People Ask
- Do you think everyone goes to heaven? I think God wants everyone with Him. And I trust He’s still reaching them.
- But what if someone rejects God? Then I believe love still calls their name. Even then.
- So you don’t believe in hell? I do. I believe in a kind of hell—but not one where God gives up. It’s where we sometimes hide. And still, He waits.
- How can you be sure? I’m not. But I am sure that mercy is more trustworthy than fear.
What I Believe…
- I believe Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost.
- I believe grace does not wait for belief—it is the breath of God pursuing us before we know His name.
- I believe no one is beyond reach. No heart is too late to be awakened.
- I believe God does not stop loving when we stop seeing.
- And I believe that in the end, He will finish what He began in Christ.
If you’ve ever wondered about your loved one who never understood faith, or who walked away, or who was hurt by religion, this is for you. If you’ve ever feared you didn’t do or say enough, this is for you, too.
God knows how to love His children. Let’s stop trying to manage Heaven’s Gate for everyone else. Let’s be the welcome mat.
Questions for the Quiet Moments:
- What do you think happens to those who don’t believe?
- Have you accepted grace the mercy you could never earn?
- What challenges you most about this opinion?
Really enjoyed this, June! I agree with C.S. Lewis – you can live in hell on this earth, not just in the “afterlife”, as some believe. Hell on earth is when you’ve slammed the door shut out of fear and you walk alone in silence, trying to block out the noise. Even opening that door a little at a time can garner hope and peace, especially in times of great stress (fear). Learning how to open it all the way may be a lifetime journey, but it is never too late.
I agree with you that it most likely a lifetime journey. To me it is what makes the walking the path with Christ all the more rewarding. It’s like waking up to Christmas surprises every morning. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
And one more thing? I believe He came for ALL of us – even the worthy, some of whom often fail to recognize they ARE worthy.
You make a good point here. I have revised my statement because your comment showed me that what I wanted to say could have been said with better clarity. Christ came for us ALL! There is always hope that everyone will “see” that. Thank you!