Life or Death?

Most Christians claim to believe the Bible is God's Word.
At the end of each Bible reading in many church services the reader says something like "This is the Word of the Lord".
And yet, depending on already-decided points of view, there are some parts of the Bible that are ignored or not believed by many Christians.

Most of the church believe there are parts of the Bible that teach that the end result for non-believers is hell, as many popular English translations put it. This is interpreted as eternal torment or destruction, or even annihilation by some scholars.

Two examples:

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
[Matthew 25 : 41  NIV]

They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. 
[2 Thessalonians 1 : 9 -10  NIV]

There are other parts of the Bible that suggest the end result is reconciliation to God, life for all people.

Two examples:

Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.
[Romans 5 : 18  NIV]

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 22 NIV]

If we believe the Bible really is the Word of the Lord, then both of these positions must be true. So how do we handle this apparent "contradiction"?

If the end result for non-believers in Christ is eternal destruction or annihilation, then what are we to do with the 'life for all' verses?
Alternatively, if the end result is life for all people, then what are we to do with the 'destruction' verses?

I find it much easier to believe the "life for all people" verses and explain the "hell" verses as a part of the journey for some people, rather than the other way around.
Indeed, I find it impossible to say the end result is destruction and yet there is still life for all.

As readers of this BLOG will know, I have found it easier to believe "life for all people" is more consistent with a God of love who sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2 : 2)

That means I must be able to explain those seemingly contradictory "hell" verses. I have done so throughout the many years this BLOG has been online, but if I have missed explaining any, please raise them in the Comments section and I will do my best to address them.

Blessings, Barry.

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Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au 

Salvation Secure For All

So many Christians, and especially Christian leaders, believe and teach that what Jesus achieved on the cross will save you only if you respond correctly to what Jesus did. 
And what is the recommended correct response?
Different leaders and different churches require a wide range of different responses. But rather than fossick our way through this forest of requirements, let's take a fresh look at what the Bible says about Jesus' accomplishments on that first Easter weekend.

Firstly, it's important to remember that Jesus came to do the will of his Father.

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."
[John 4 : 34  NIV]

Secondly, the will of the Father was/is to save all people.

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
[1 Timothy 2 : 3-4  NIV]

Thirdly, Jesus faithfully finished his assignment.

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
[John 19 : 30  NIV]

The finished work of Jesus was acknowledged by the first century apostles.

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
[1 John 2 : 2  NIV]
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
 [1 Corinthians 15 : 22  NIV]
Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.
[Romans 5 : 18  NIV]

So what is required of us to be saved? 
Nothing !
Christ has done it all in fulfilling the will and plan of the Father.
            
However, if we want to enjoy the peace and hope that salvation provides we need to know about it and believe it.
We get to know about it when someone tells us. Evangelists specialise in this telling work, although many of them unfortunately add conditions to the story. 
We can also read about it in the Bible.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
[Romans 10 : 17  NIV]

We believe it when it's time for the Holy Spirit to begin preparing us for the role God has chosen for us to play in His plan to unite the world under Christ. 

God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ.
This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head.
Ephesians 1 : 9 - 10  GNT]

When our time comes, the Holy Spirit will also take up residence in our spirits affirming our new identity as children of God, yes, belonging to God's family, and being co-heirs with Christ.

Our salvation is indeed secure. Jesus has done it all. 
So where to from here?
If God is to achieve his unity plan for all, then what Jesus has accomplished will eventually be known and believed and enjoyed by all.
And surely, if God is truly God, that result is a certainty.

For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 
The last enemy to be destroyed is death. ...
When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, 
so that God may be all in all.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 25 - 28  NIV]

Blessings, Barry
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Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au

The Mystery of Unity

There are several mysteries or secrets mentioned in the Scriptures, especially in Paul's epistles.
But the one that Paul mentions in Chapter 1 of his letter to the Ephesians is really hard to believe.

God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ.
This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head.
[Ephesians 1 : 9 - 10  GNT]

This is especially difficult to believe when we consider the current state of our world with its endless wars, destructive diseases and cruel acts of brutality that humans inflict on each other.
Even so, if the universe was initially created out of nothing, then finally bringing unity using the ingredients already in existence, no matter how tarnished, should no longer seem impossible to us bystanders.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
[Genesis 1 : 1  NIV]

God did this through his son, Jesus Christ.

There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. 
And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live.
[1 Corinthians 8 : 6  NLT]

So all creation was united under the headship of Christ, its Creator, as any creation (invention) is under the headship or control of its creator (inventor).

In our "secret plan" verses at the beginning of the post, we see that regardless of what we see or how we feel, this unity is going to be restored under the headship of Christ at the right time.
Everything at the end will be in the same condition as it was at the beginning - all creation in unity under the headship of the Creator - which is why Jesus came to earth as a human to start the re-creation process.
The Apostle John was given a glimpse of God's intention which he recorded here:

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” 
Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
[Revelation 21 : 5  ESV]

Let's also remember that this restoration cannot be thwarted by humanity's rebellion or ignorance.

People may plan all kinds of things, but the Lord's will is going to be done.
[Proverbs 19 : 21  GNT]

Isn't that exciting?

Blessings, Barry
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Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au

Believing Jesus was Successful is Cultish?

Today when I mentioned that "all will eventually be reconciled to God", it was suggested, by a very sincere, mature and generous Christian, that I was in a cult.
How about that?
I believe that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, not just a few.

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 
[1 John 2 : 2  NIV]

For there is one God, and there is one who brings God and human beings together, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself to redeem the whole human race. 
That was the proof at the right time that God wants everyone to be saved.
[1 Timothy 2 : 5 - 6  GNT]

I believe that God is the Saviour of the world, all of it.

That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
[1 Timothy 4 : 10  NIV]

I believe that God will bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth

God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ. 
This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head.
[Ephesians 1 : 9 - 10  GNT]

I believe that God is sovereign and will complete his plan to save the world.

Remember the things I have done in the past.
For I alone am God!
I am God, and there is none like me.
Only I can tell you the future before it even happens.
Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. 
I will call a swift bird of prey from the east—
    a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding.
I have said what I would do, and I will do it. 
[Isaiah 46 : 9 - 11  NLT]

Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.
[Psalm 115 : 3  NIV]

I believe God's will must prevail over anyone's will to the contrary.

People may plan all kinds of things, but the Lord's will is going to be done.
[Proverbs 19 : 21  NIV]

If that qualifies me to belong to a cult, then I suggest that many more should join it.

Another curious comment was made, "This view takes the joy out of being a Christian".
Really? 
It might take the smugness out of being a Christian, but the joy?

I am thrilled, overjoyed, that I worship a God who can, and will, do all of the above.
And I serve a risen Lord who has enabled it to happen - and has included me in it.

Blessings, Barry
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Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au

God is OK with You

If I asked the average Christian if God was OK with them, I would usually get a positive answer.
If I then followed up with, "Why do you think so?", I would probably get something like, "Jesus paid for my sins and I have put my faith in Jesus".

That's an interesting answer, which is half correct and also half of the correct answer to a completely different question.
The half that is the correct answer to this question is "Jesus paid for my sins".

If I then asked a more general question, "Whose sins did Jesus pay for?" the answer would often be, "Christians, those who believe in him".

To many Christians, the Biblical answer to this question might be a complete surprise.
Look what the Bible says:

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
[1 John 2 : 2  NIV]

Clearly, "Jesus paid for my sins" was the correct answer, but not only for Christians, it was for everyone.
God is OK with all of us.

For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.
[2 Corinthians 5 : 19  NLT]

So what about the "I have put my faith in Jesus" part of the original answer?
Knowing and believing that Jesus paid for my sins and trusting that God no longer counts my sins against me is the answer to this question, 

"How can you have peace in this world and confidence for what is coming in the next?"

Having faith in Jesus and what he has done for me gives me both peace and hope, and assures me that God is OK with me, right now and forever.

Blessings, Barry
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Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au 

Trust in Our Sovereign God

In a previous post, Forgiveness, the Jesus Way, we quoted the following from Luke's gospel account:

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
[Luke 23 : 33 - 34  NIV]

Those who conspired to put Jesus on the cross and those who brutally beat him and murdered him were doing the work of Satan and those he motivated. 
Satan's determination to get rid of Jesus and to curtail the kingdom work of the Messiah was his aim, and it is likely he thought he had succeeded when Jesus died on the cross.

But no! God's plan was for Jesus to enter human death and destroy it from the inside for the benefit of all humanity.
The wicked plans and actions of Jesus' enemies were what God used to implement His plan of redeeming the human race.

... God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to know the truth. 
[1 Timothy 2 : 3 -4  GNT]

Jesus himself said that by the means of the cross all people would eventually be drawn to him.

"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
[And John added,] He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
[John 12 : 32  NIV]

Jesus knew the cross was a key component in the Father's plan to save the world.
And Satan and his minions played their role, even though they had no idea they were playing a designated part in a plan that was the opposite of theirs.

I am so often amazed, but should not be, to see how God gets done what He has previously decided to do, and uses whatever circumstances and people are available at the time.
He is truly sovereign.

People can make many different plans. But only the Lord’s plan will happen.
[Proverbs 19 : 21  ICB]

Or as the Living Bible puts it "Man proposes, but God disposes."

It is so comforting to know God is sovereign, God is in control, and He has plans for our eventual good, even when it is not always obvious to us. (It was certainly not obvious to the disciples who saw their Messiah crucified.)

That's why we have been encouraged to live by faith, by trust in our sovereign heavenly Father.

for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]—
[2 Corinthians 5 : 7  AMP]

Blessings, Barry
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Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au

A Criminal in Paradise?

In the last post we discussed the forgiveness received by the Jews and Romans who tortured Jesus and put him on the cross.
There was no need for any repentance, baptism, religious affiliation or agreement to some statement of doctrine on their behalf. 
No! 
From the love of Jesus and the Father poured out mercy and forgiveness for those wayward, ignorant Jewish leaders and Romans soldiers.

But have you noticed another amazing expression of Jesus' love, mercy and grace while he was on the cross?
The criminal who recognised Jesus' kingship and asked to be remembered when Jesus would come into his kingdom was told that he would be with Jesus in Paradise that very day, before the kingdom had yet been established.

Nothing more than a simple request was needed to get Jesus' attention and promise - no baptism, no confession of faith, no acceptance of some creedal statement - nothing more than acknowledging Christ as the promised Messiah, the coming King.

Let's be playful here for a moment.
Suppose this criminal presents himself at the gate to Paradise and the angel meeting him asks, "What are you doing here? You're a criminal."
He might reply, "I was told to come here today."
"And who told you that?"
"The man on the cross next to me."

It seems that everything about the kingdom, even before the crucifixion, is about what Jesus wants.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last ...
[John 15 : 16  NIV]

Co-workers with Christ in his kingdom are chosen and equipped for kingdom leadership.

But what about the rest of humanity, those not chosen for kingdom leadership?
Their turn will come to enjoy that kingdom because Jesus promised:

When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me.” (In saying this he indicated the kind of death he was going to suffer.)
[John 12 : 32  GNB]

And God's plan promised it:

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 22  NIV]
So then, as the one sin condemned all people, in the same way the one righteous act sets all people free and gives them life. 
[Romans 5 : 18  GNB]

The rest of humanity will be citizens in the kingdom, enjoying the glorious benefits of living in God's renewed world.

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
[Revelation 21 : 5  NIV]

So how did this criminal get into Paradise?
Because Jesus said so; and because of a huge transformation making everything new:

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—
For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 51, 53  NIV]

Blessings, Barry
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Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au