"The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men." [Titus 2:11] |
Craig, Why do you believe in Universal Salvation? On any given day, I will have a discussion with a few self confessed theologians of Christianity of which I meet time to time. I have found something strange when discussing the ideals of Christ Jesus when I speak of our reconciliation, I can tell who truly know Him versus those who believe to know the religion. Those who have a personal walk with Christ will consider what I am saying because they truly care about what they believe. While those who are in Christianity for sake of religion will not consider their words or knowledge only that they are correct by the letter. In one of my discussions, I was challenged to prove in Scripture, the idea that Jesus had saved all mankind. I am not afraid of these challenges as I have been debating Scripture since I was five years old (I remember confronting a Jehovah Witness on her beliefs when she passed judgment upon me at such a young age beyond what reason should expect.) "Craig," they say, "You don't believe in Hell? You don't believe in Satan?" I would reply with common sense, "Since when has the belief in Hell and Satan become a saving knowledge?" They would become silent pondering these words, like the Pharisee in Christ's time, they would not understand. Now, it is not that I don't believe in Hell or if Satan exists, it is the connection with these items of doctrine which strikes against the very essence of what Christ taught that seem to befuddle the very ones who insist its meaning. They would in most cases either walk away or as the last group challenge me to prove Scripturally, the reality of Universal Salvation for all in Christ Jesus regardless of accepting this truth or not. The truth is truth, regardless if you believe in it or accept it. "God will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. There is one God, and one mediator also between God and men; the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." [1 Timothy 2:4-6]. In three simple sentences, the reality that God will have all men saved and to come to the knowledge of truth to be testified in due time, should answer this challenge. Though I doubt it would change the mind of the religious individual, it will enlighten someone who truly believes in Christ. It re-enforces my hope, which is secure and as a sturdy anchor. "All things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them" [2 Corinthians 5:18-19]. Notice how God is reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their (the world's) trespasses against them. What can be said when the world is reconciled to God and their sins are not remembered? This strikes as contradiction to the religious who want the letters of Paul removed from the cannon but makes absolute sense to those who understand God is Love. "We have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, most of all of believers" [1 Timothy 4:10]. Speaking of those who believe, what good are they if all are saved? Well we have a fixed hope on the living God which gives us strength and though hope not seen must believed by faith; we are blessed by this knowledge in everything we do. While the world works and strives, we can rest in our Lord and receive peace. Now let us look at some reasoning and common sense. "This is the will of Him who sent Jesus that of all that the Father has given the Son He loses nothing." [John 6:39] What did the Father give the Son? "God gave Jesus authority over all mankind that to all whom God has given Him, He may give eternal life" [John 17:2]. What did the Father give the Son? The answer, He gave Him authority over all mankind that to all whom God has given Him, He may give eternal life. It is the will of God that all He has given Jesus that He loses nothing. Let us continue, how do we come to Christ? How are we given to Him? "No one can come to Christ unless the Father who sent Him draws them." [John 6:44] "No one can come to Christ unless it has been granted him from the Father" [John 6:65]. "Because Jesus was lifted up from the earth, He will draw all men to Himself." [John 12:32]. This is a shocking revelation, the illusion of free-will and control of our destiny has been shattered. No matter how much you try, you cannot come to Christ unless the Father first granted it. Since all authority over all mankind has been given to Christ granted from the Father, and Christ has drawn all men to Himself, then it should be obvious all have come to Christ. Those who have been considered enemies have been reconciled. "While we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." [Romans 5:10]. Let us recap, His enemies were reconciled, the world was reconciled and especially those who believe are reconciled. Who is left to be reconciled? The answer if all men are reconciled, none are lost. "Whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." [Romans 8:29,30]. So who did He justify? "As through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men." [Romans 5:18]. So who did He justify? He justified all men. Who are called and predestined? "It does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy." [Romans 9:16]. "He has mercy on who He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. No one can resist His will." [Romans 9:19]. "We have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will." [Ephesians 1:11]. Who are called? He called all. Who are predestined? All are predestined. How is possible to be called and predestined? The matter is simple, as stated before we do not have a free will in regards to our destination, therefore all are predestined by the Will of God none can resist the inevitable direction of His Will. I remember singing a song, "Lift Jesus higher, lift Jesus higher, lift Him up for the world to see. He said if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me." The song resonates, but completely misunderstands the words of Christ. We cannot lift Jesus higher, he is already lifted and high exalted and He will draw all men unto Himself. "God highly exalted Jesus, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." [Philippians 2:9-11]. So when He says He will do something, when He says it will be done, it will be done. The religious will look around and see many are lost to this promise, proving in their hearts that God does not save all but Scripture tells us differently. "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] "For whether we are beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we are sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." [2 Corinthians 5:13-15] "The Lord has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity. [2 Timothy 1:9]. He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy [Titus 3:5]. I could go on and on and they can either believe it or not and not all will see it because it is what is spoken by the Spirit is revealed by the Spirit. Unless we give everything to Jesus, we will continue believe you were saved by your works, actions, righteousness, obedience or even your faith. We have nothing to boast, not even our faith is ours! This is only revealed by the Spirit, our carnal nature will not understand because it is foolishness. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." [John 1:12-13]. |
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"The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men." [Titus 2:11] |
