tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2858603265832941315.post6741542546935491544..comments2023-05-11T07:29:43.942-07:00Comments on Poorhouse Dad: Pharisaical Christians vs. Anti-PhariseesPoorhouse Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02393746026136007596noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2858603265832941315.post-58693455440441049222009-12-07T01:28:58.477-08:002009-12-07T01:28:58.477-08:00Jesus did not come to save the world out of contex...Jesus did not come to save the world out of context. For example, John 3:17 says, <br /><br /><i>For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.</i><br /><br />Before we chalk one up for universalism, though, read on:<br /><br /><i>He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already.... (verse 18)</i><br /><br />In this context, <b>condemned already</b> conveys that the final judgment has already been pronounced, and only conversion can extinguish a future in flames.<br /><br />Our Western eyes easily overlook the meaning of <b>world</b>. Ethnocentrism has always tainted Judaism. To the Jews who heard Jesus' words, <b>world</b> clearly conveyed a revolutionary message that God meant the good news for all peoples alike and not for Israel alone.<br /><br />I commend the big heart of those who want all to be ultimately reconciled to God, but I can only sympathize with their discomfort when they read verse 36:<br /><br /><i>He that believes on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.</i><br /><br />In other words, the unbeliever continues in a default state of condemnation and, should he die in that state, <b>shall not see life</b>.<br /><br />Similarly, universal reconciliation fails to deal honestly with revealed truth about the final judgment. For example, John 5:28-29:<br /><br /><i>...the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.</i><br /><br />Revelation 20:7-15 illustrates the above passage in detail. It leaves little room for thinking that unbelievers can bypass hell.<br /><br />By the way, one might chase the tangent of how one gets one's name written in the book of life. The answer further undermines universal reconciliation.<br /><br />Universal reconciliation starts with an unbalanced view of God's love, holiness, and justice, and reinterprets the Bible in ways that strain its obvious meaning.<br /><br />I thought twice before writing this post. Was it a minor point, or worth discussion? Anonymous asked a critical question: <b>What is the good news?</b> All the above leads to this:<br /><br />Before Christ's redemptive act, the News of the Day, Every Day, was <b>nobody</b> goes to heaven. We had 600-plus commandments to show us that we all sin. We had the blood of various animals to temporarily hide our sins. We had a promise that God would provide a perfect, permanent solution to our estrangement -- some day. So, <b>no</b>, "most of us are going to Hell" falls short of being either news or good.<br /><br />The good news declares that God offers Himself Christ's sacrifice, and He offers us a free gift of redemption and reconciliation, one sufficient for all who will receive it (even a sinful gentile like me). The good news applies not to the world as a corporate entity; it applies to <b>you</b> who hear it, whatever your people.<br /><br />Unfortunately, that part about "free gift" demands a follow-up question: What will you do with this news? Will you (the reader, in general) reject it (either actively or by default)? Will you insult the Giver by trying to earn His gift through good deeds and ceremonies? Or will you acknowledge your need and inability and receive the gift?<br /><br />What will you do?RichWheelerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17736822750463850968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2858603265832941315.post-29340765656722383862009-12-03T00:13:04.141-08:002009-12-03T00:13:04.141-08:00Maybe everybody is saved. Didn't Jesus come t...Maybe everybody is saved. Didn't Jesus come to save the "world?" Didn't Jesus take the sins of the world on him at the cross? Paul says thru Adam came death (for all) conversely he states thru Christ comes salvation (for all). The Gospel is the good news. Is that good news that most of us are going to Hell? No the Good News is that Jesus died for our sins all of them even our sin of unbelief. So do I need to prove grace to you. No I don't. Look to Jesus let him prove it to you. But if he can't thats okay because he takes care of you anyway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com