Q:I do know that the Bible says that the way to heaven is only through belief that Jesus is our Savior. I still wonder however, why my Jewish friends, who are devout believers in God - but don't believe that Jesus is the Savior the way we believe, would be condemned to hell. In their own lives they are true believers in God and I just can't imagine God sending them to hell. I would love to hear what you feel about this matter.

A:It's great to hear of your concern for your Jewish friends. You share the same heart as the Apostle Paul. In talking about the Jewish people he said, "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved." (Romans 10:1)

As far as being condemned to hell, as you correctly stated in your question, the Bible is clear on this topic. Only through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior is one granted access into heaven. A great passage on this is John 3:16-18 that says, "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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." (See also: John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-11)

An important truth to remember is that condemnation to hell is not something God desires for anyone (1 Timothy 2:3-4; Ezekiel 33:11), but as John 3:18 says, whoever does not believe in Jesus Christ as Savior stands condemned. God sends someone to hell, not because He wants to, but out of judgment for the person's sin that has not been forgiven through a faith relationship with Jesus Christ.

As for being "devout believers in God" or "true believers in God", as already discussed, everything hinges on what someone believes about Jesus Christ. "Belief" isn't all that matters, believing the right thing matters. For instance, if I believe Monopoly money is real money it doesn't mean I can pay my mortgage with it. My belief in the value of that Monopoly money is invalid, no matter how strongly my belief. The same is true in matters of faith. However strong our belief, only if our belief aligns with God's Word is it true.

Regarding the Jewish faith, Paul said this in Romans 10:2-3, "For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness."

While hard to consider anyone being condemned to hell, this reality can be motivation for those who follow Christ to never give up sharing what Jesus Christ has done and accomplished at the cross. For the Jews, and for anyone who doesn't place their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, there is always hope (see Romans 11:11-24). For some additional information you might check out www.appleofhiseye.org.