How can a Loving God Send People to Hell?

Considering no one would ever recommend hell after visiting, it is a sad thing to realize that the majority of the people that are alive today will find themselves destined to arrive there after they leave this world. While we are still alive, it's seems easy to say hell doesn't exist, because we are not directly affected by its existence.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:13-14

The significance of hell is hard to avoid when reading the bible, even though it is not a favorite topic for most churches. In my ponderings of the subject, I found that there were a few questions that people have asked about hell that made me want to dig further.

First and probably the most common question that one might hear: How could a loving God send someone to Hell? This question on the surface seems to have some weight, but if you hit it with a little common sense it starts to break down.

Think what would happen to our society if there were no laws. Laws seem to be important, so let’s keep them. Think what would happen if there were no consequences for breaking those laws. There would be no motivation to keep the Laws. In the end the question just seems to be an excuse to break God’s laws without fear of consequence.

I like the following question better: How does a loving God demonstrate His Love for those who are on their way to Hell?

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9

Another common question is: What about someone who never hears the gospel? This question bothers me because those who ask this question usually don’t really want an answer. It’s more like the Pharisees asking Jesus questions only to try and trap him in his words. They failed each time, but learned nothing. This question seems at first hard to answer, but only if you fall into the trap of the question. Only God can truly answer this question, because He alone has the right to bring eternal judgment on anyone. Never-the-less, God doesn’t leave us clueless.

For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Romans 2:12-16

Questions can lead you to the Truth and questions can keep you from the Truth. It all depends on the intent of the heart.

Clay in the Hands of the Potter.