For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, shall all be vivified
Paul to the Corinthians (1) 15: 22, Concordant New Testament
I look at one of the key figures of the Lords creation, Adam, and I think that he got a bad rap. Sure, he followed his wife's lead in the taking of that forbidden fruit, but if he hadn't where would we be now? Condemned by our sin? The truth is, by the taking of the fruit which the Lord had declared they should not have, Adam and Eve set in motion that series of events by which all will be saved. That's right, I said it, ALL will be saved. Whenever I speak to believers on what has become known as universal salvation, I receive reactions that see me as speaking heresy. One of the main arguments Christians use in defense of their stand that there is indeed a reward and a punishment upon death is that good will be rewarded and that evil must be punished. I get it. The scriptures are full of verses declaring the view of many believers. We pat ourselves on the back on the assurance that we, as followers of God, have "Punched our ticket" into heaven. At the same time, we seemingly condemn to hell those who we have judged to be unworthy of the Lords salvation. Make no mistake about it, WE have judged others to their own eternity in hell. A gym friend of mine, who is seemingly very well versed in the doctrine of the mainstream church, has no issues with judging others to an eternity in hell based upon their beliefs and/or behaviors. He bases his judgements on those particular scriptures which condemn the wicked to punishment. It has been my belief for some time that it is these hardcore Christians who are responsible for many believers being seen as hypocrites. That we are strict and judgmental. To this I have one question, has God delegated us to decide who and who will not be saved? Isn't the issue of salvation one which belongs to the Father alone? The apostle Paul recognized this when he spoke to the grace of our own salvation. That salvation is not achieved by what we do, but by the love and grace of the Father through the work of Christ Jesus {Paul to the Ephesians 2:20}. By this, no one should be boasting {Paul to the Ephesians 2:9}. Yet, many believers seem to boast in their own salvation status. These are the same believers who accuse me of speaking lies when I mention the truth that all shall be saved.
In the film Come Sunday, the reverend Carlton Pearson is removed from his leadership position within his own church because he speaks that there cannot be a hell. Pearson reasoned, correctly, that a loving God could not punish His children in such a way. Paul speaks to this concept of universal salvation when he spoke that "All shall be vivified" {Paul to the Corinthians (1) 15:22}. That through the disobedience of one man, Adam, many were seen as sinners. However, through the obedience of the One, Christ Jesus, the many will be seen as just {Paul to the Romans 5:19}. Once again, Paul understood that death does not mean the opportunity for eternal punishment. He also understood that Christ has died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}. If we have been justified by the obedience of Christ Jesus, we are now considered innocent and just in the eyes of the Father. And the truth should be made clear to all, that to declare one just or unjust is NOT our domain, but that of the Father whose love and mercy has declared us just. Of course, this belief is seen as heresy by those within the church. Jesus Himself has declared that if the Son shall be making you free, "You will be really free" {Johns Account 8:36}. Through Christ Jesus, we have been made free.
For even as, through the disobedience of the one man, the many were constituted sinners, thus also, through the obedience of the One, the many shall be constituted just
Paul to the Romans 5: 19, Concordant New Testament
~Scott~
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