In whom the God of this eon blinds the apprehensions of the unbelieving so that the illumination of the evangel of the glory of Christ, Who is the image of the invisible God, does not irradiate them.
Paul To The Corinthians (2) 4: 4, Concordant New Testament
It's not uncommon these days to come across many who do not have the same mind and heart for the Lord that we do. Last night some pontificator on television described conservative Republicans as "The extreme Christian wing of the party." If so, I wear that badge with pride. But how is it that we got to this point? How is it that we went from a predominantly Christian nation to one which ignores those values? Well, I believe that these attitudes have always been present in our society, just not as noticeable. Do I believe that these people hate those who practice Christianity? Perhaps, but I also believe that those who practice Christianity have not done us any favors in how they conduct themselves. When I say this, I am pointing the finger at myself as well. How is it that we convert someone by telling them that they are headed for hell? Of course, this has been a classic church tactic for centuries. We seemingly seek to frighten the unbeliever into submission. Of course, nowhere in this scenario do we see the love of the Father for His children. We toss around the words of the apostle John like righteous Christian soldiers {Johns Account 3:16-17}. But many of our devoted soldiers have overlooked the latter part of this passage. For the Lord did not dispatch His Son to judge the world, but that "The world may be saved through Him" {Johns Account 3:17}. What? God will save all? Yes! We cannot ignore the fact that it is spoken in the scripture what the desire of the Father is. That the world may be saved through Christ Jesus. So, tell me again, dear Christian, who is it that you're sending to hell? Who is it that you're judging? For when we condemn others to that fiery end, we're engaging in something which Jesus Himself warned us against {Matthews Account 7:2-4}. Is it any wonder, then, that Christians are not looked upon very kindly by some in our society? They've been burned too many times by those professing to love the Lord. Instead of speaking to the love of the Father, we preach the condemnation of those who do not believe!
"So no, I'm not too big on religion...and not very fond of politics and economics either...and why should I be? They are the man-created trinity of terrors that ravages the earth and deceives those I care about. What mental turmoil and anxiety does any human face that is not related to one of those three?"
William P. Young, The Shack
In the movie Come Sunday, bishop Carlton Pearson is expelled from his church for daring to speak to the love of the Father. His crime? Proclaiming that there is no hell. But wait, if there is no hell, what will be the final place of the wicked? Let us consider the words of the apostle Paul to the church in Philippi. That at the name of Jesus "EVERY knee shall be bowing" {Paul To The Philippians 2:10}. In the end, every part of the Lords creation will acknowledge Christ Jesus. Not only that, but that every tongue shall proclaim "That Jesus Christ is Lord" {Paul To The Philippians 2:11}. How much better is this to proclaim to someone than they are going to hell? Which portrays the love of the Father in a more truthful way? Can it be a shock, then, that we are not seen as loving Christians? Think of it this way, how is it that others see the Father when we speak to them of the hellfire that awaits them? Exactly, they cannot help but see the Lord as a vengeful, punishing God. Who would want to sign up for that? For its part, the mainstream church incorporates this into the theology they preach. Many is the pastor who speaks to our sin and punishment. In reality, when Jesus proclaimed on the cross "It is finished!" He was not speaking to the end of His life but to the end of the sin nature of man. For it is Jesus who became sin upon the cross that we would be saved {Paul To The Corinthians 5:21}. Not simply for the chosen few, but that the world through Him would be saved.
~Scott~
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