ANSWERS
You ask Elim experts the questions. This month, it’s Mark Ryan, who is National Lead for church growth among the Elim churches
What does it mean in Ecclesiastes that God has set “eternity in the human heart...”?
This rich Old Testament phrase reminds us that human beings are uniquely wired to understand that life is more than what we can see and touch. Created in the image of God, we carry an intrinsic dignity and a God-given capacity to perceive spiritual reality. Deep within us is an awareness that we belong to a bigger story.
This phrase teaches us at least three profound truths. First, we are people of longing. There is a deep, often unspoken yearning for the spiritual – a pull towards something beyond ourselves. We were never meant to be satisfied by the temporary alone.
Second, we have the ability to connect with God. The Lord speaks, and we are able to respond. No matter how far you feel you may have drifted, never assume you are beyond hearing His voice. The whisper of eternity still echoes within you.
Third, God invites us into revelation. He is able to show us truths that go beyond our natural understanding and draw us into His eternal purposes. He longs to connect us with our divine destiny – not merely for this life, but for eternity.
How can I increase my spiritual discernment?
Some Christians live as though God’s will were a tightrope – one wrong step and everything is lost. That mindset produces anxiety rather than faith. God’s will is far more like a garden: a place to walk, explore and enjoy. There are clear commands we are called to obey, but discerning the leading of the Holy Spirit often comes through noticing what God brings to our attention.
Conviction may signal a warning; joy may signal encouragement. Discernment grows as we learn to recognise these holy nudges. Scripture plays a vital role here – but not rushed reading. Discernment comes when we slow down and ask the Holy Spirit to help us notice what He is highlighting. There is a difference between dutiful reading of the Bible and noticing what God is saying through it. Curiosity, prayerful attentiveness and time create space for revelation.
A loving God and the question of hell
A hard question Christians face is this: how can a loving God send people to hell? The answer is important and deeply pastoral. God does not “send” anyone to hell. When people choose not to follow the Saviour, they choose separation from the eternal presence of God.
As one writer memorably put it, “In order to get to hell you have to repeatedly trip over the broken body of our Lord and ignore His resurrected nail-scarred hands.” God gives repeated opportunities for repentance. Scripture is clear: “The Lord… is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance,” (2 Peter 3:9).
God is love – but He is also just, fair and holy. He establishes boundaries that, by His empowering grace, we are able to keep. When we repeatedly refuse His invitation, there are spiritual consequences.
It is said that ‘the road to hell is paved with good intentions’ – but it is more accurate to say it is paved with stubborn refusals to respond to God’s gracious call. “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,” (John 3:16).
This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.