Thoughts on Heaven and Hell

I'm tired and this may not be the stellar writing, but I've been stirring around this thought for a while and thought I'd put it out there and see what others thought. A while back a non-Christian friend, Nick, and I were talking about why I believed in God. Nick wasn't sure what he believed, but he always came back to not being able to believe in a God that sent people to hell. He had real problems with Old Testament God.

I was never really sure how to respond to Nick because I felt he had a pretty valid point. Since then I've learned the differences between being Calvinist and Armenian and I guess I'd say I'm a free will believing guy. If I had a do over and could try answering him again I'd probably explain it this way, (though I'm sure it's not theologically sound and it's a pretty lame metaphor);

I like to liken it to God standing outside a house and welcoming people in. His house is on one side of the street and it's decent enough. He's standing out on the porch and when people walk buy he rushes out to ask them how they are and invite them in for dinner and conversation. Some say yes and some say no. It's their choice.

To go on with the metaphor I imagine the house to be a place where no imperfection can enter basically because God digs white carpet. But, there's no way I'm not going to bring dirt in on my feet. So his son Jesus meets me at the door and if I trust that he has never had dirt on his feet and can clean my feet then I can come in too. So I guess it's conditional in such that I'm humble enough to realize I'll taint God's house.

I guess I don't see God as turning me away as long as I want to come in and know that I'll need help to do it I can come in. If his house is all 100% loving and everything outside is less than that then that would be hell and it would be my choice.

I guess I do believe that sometimes there are people who think they know God and try to come on in, but God tells them not so fast. But, yeah, I really think God gives people the choice and even those who believe in Him daily choose not to come in....we all have dirty feet that need cleaning.

I was explaining this to another friend, Jon, who seemed to like it, but he said he imagined that most of want to believe in God, but daily walk on by his house anyways. Jon said that he envisioned it more as God chasing us down the street and hugging us and redirecting us and showing us back...though some of us still choose to go on to something else anyways. I like the way Jon put it because I know I pass on God's choices every day and even when I want to deepen my relationship with him I'm to prideful to except his grace.

I guess if you believe that God predetermines who is chosen and who isn't then this is a pointless argument and I struggle with believing in a God who says you can come, but you can't...but I know I'm routinely guilty of changing God's image into something I'm more comfortable with. Any thoughts?