For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified
Paul to the Corinthians (1) 15: 22, Concordant New Testament
I have a gym friend who, despite having been told that I am a believer, has taken it upon himself to try to convert me to Christianity. There are times that I feel that I am wearing a shirt with the words "I'm a sinner, please convert me" written upon it. I get it. Back in my church days, I would take each and every opportunity not to proclaim the good news of Jesus, but the requirements one needed to do in order to get into heaven. This is what I have been hearing for some time now. Perhaps the Lord is gently reminding me of what I used to sound like to others? Whatever the case, it seems that I am in need of being converted all over again into the Christian religion. One of the requirements of going to heaven is that we realize that our life is filled with sin and that we need Gods continual forgiveness. The truth is that this is what our identity once was back in the day. However, is it through the death of Christ Jesus on the cross as the propitiation for our sin that we are no longer suffering the burdens of sin {First Epistle of John 2:2}. That's right, our sin debt has been paid in full. My gym friend will get all twisted into knots whenever I mention the desire of the Lord that all be saved {Paul to Timothy (1) 2:4}. In his view, all continue to be guilty of that sin which Christ Jesus bled and died to forgive. I believe that those who continue in this church driven belief are ignoring the reason for His death. Not simply that we would be forgiven that which was against us, but that sin itself would be defeated {Paul to the Romans 6:11}. The truth we have in the sacrifice of Christ is that ALL shall be made alive {Paul to the Corinthians (1) 15:22}. Most refer to this truth as universal salvation, and the mainstream church pretty much considers it to be blasphemy when spoken of.
One of the precedents of Christian belief is that we have been created in the Fathers likeness {Genesis 1:27}. That we are indeed His children {First Epistle of John 3:2}. Therefore, is it beyond the Father to desire that all of His children be saved? Is it even possible that all have been saved and it just has not been revealed to them? Yes! One thing I know is that all things are possible with God {Mathews Account 19:26}. Man may consider something to be impossible, yet the Father deems it possible. Is it therefore possible that man considers the need that others be judged for their sin, but that God assures them that their sins have been forgiven? Is it even possible that the entire church driven narrative that hell is the eternal punishment for sin is not what the Father has in store for us? Remember, with God all things are possible. Is it even our domain to condemn anyone to hell? Or, is this the domain of the Father Who created us? Jesus has spoken that we "Do not judge, lest you may be judged" {Matthews Account 7:1-5}. Yet many in the church continue to proclaim the Lords children guilty of that which Christ Jesus has already given His life for {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}. The same church which celebrates the forgiveness of sin through the sacrifice of Jesus is the same church which condemns others to hell for the sin Jesus has already forgiven us. This is one of the main reasons I believe in the truth which others refer to as universal salvation. Because with God, all things are possible.
"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and losing one of them, is not leaving the ninety-nine in the wilderness and is going after the lost one, till he may be finding it? And finding it, he is placing it on his shoulders, rejoicing."
Lukes Account 15: 4-5, Concordant New Testament
~Scott~
