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Be Not Afraid In God's Handsa long time afterward, my father wrote to him, begginghim to see the damage he had done, and pleading forreconciliation. But Joel only grew more bitter.In early 1973, my father received what turned outto be Joel’s last letter – a hateful message drippingwith sarcasm. Not long afterward came the news of hisdeath. Naturally Joel’s wife and children were deeplyshaken. Where was he now? And how could his soulever find rest in death, given the way he had lived?My father was just as distraught, but he cautionedthe family not to rush to judgment. Reminding themof the story of the remorseful thief at Golgotha, heencouraged them to remember Jesus’ promise, “Todayyou shall be with me in Paradise.” Surely those wordshold true for everyone who repents, my father said.And how did they know that Joel had not sought – andfound – forgiveness, if only in the last seconds of hislife?The fear that plagued Joel’s family is understandable,especially in light of traditional Christian views of hell.Yet it is neither healthy nor constructive. God judges, itis true, but even in the Old Testament he says, “Have Iany desire for the death of a wicked man? Would I notrather that he should mend his ways and live?” And inthe New Testament we read, “It is not God’s will for anysoul to be lost, but for all to come to repentance.”106