The Good Of The Father (The Smell Test) # 2057

 

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are of God, for many false prophets have come out into the world 

First Epistle of John 4: 1, Concordant New Testament 

I have a gym friend whom I have taken to placing the word judgmental in front of his name whenever I think of him.  For this friend has made it clear where he stands as far as the scriptures are concerned.  I don't find this surprising, as he is a regular attendee of a local mainstream church.  So, I see him as only speaking what he learns in church.  That God is vengeful and hateful God.  Recently, Franklin Graham doubled down on this thinking by proclaiming that God hates and that he is a God of war.  Have we gotten to the point in our belief that we proclaim that God hates those we disagree with?  Indeed, there are some out there who adhere to such a belief.  I first witnessed this in action at a church I used to attend where a small crowd had gathered outside of the church to protest the churches stance that marriage is between a man and a woman.  Instead of speaking the love of God over all, the pastor proclaimed that God indeed hated the behavior of those who were protesting.  We didn't agree with them, so we spoke to the belief that God hated their actions.  This got me to thinking this week, does God truly hate anyone?  Does He hate anything?  I will base my answer in the words of the apostle John who speaks to the one true nature of God, that is love {First Epistle of John 4:1}.  Love is what God has chosen to be known as.  When we think of love, we think of the Father.  At least I do.  But, unfortunately, there are competing messages out there when it comes to the nature and love of God.  Those within the church will speak to a God who not only loves, but is also vengeful and hateful.  They cherry-pick scriptures to suit their narrative.  Franklin Graham cited a scripture where Saul was called upon to destroy Israels enemies.  Does this make the Father a God of war?  I would disagree with the reverend on that one.  In discussions with my gym friend, I notice his hard liner stance between those who commit bad behaviors and those who have chosen to accept Christ Jesus.  In his opinion, only those who have accepted Christ will be saved {Paul to the Romans 10:9-10}.  But is this the Fathers intention?  Again, we must heed the words of the apostle John and "Test the spirits" {First Epistle of John 4:1}.  Does it pass the smell test?

In my discussions with other believers, whenever I mention the concept of universal salvation I usually get a bit of pushback.  My gym friend will immediately counter with a question if God intends to overlook wrong behaviors and people.  The issue is not if God intends to overlook wrong behaviors, but that if we ourselves have gotten it wrong all along.  Has sin separated us from God as the church is so fond of preaching?  I would answer no to that.  This theology doesn't pass the smell test.  For there is scripture to back up the claim that all shall be saved {Johns Account 3:17, Peter to the Dispersion(2) 3:9, James 2:24}.  Jesus has proclaimed that there is only one way to the Father, and that is through Him {Johns Account 14:6}.  So, why is it that we pre-judge those who we feel will and won't go to hell?  Doesn't that decision belong to Christ?  Once again, we see the competing message offered up by those within the church.  I have taken a lot of flack for my belief that the Father decides everything that He does based upon His love for us {Paul to the Romans 5:8}.  Imagine that, that while I was still a sinner, Christ Jesus died for me.  Well, the thing is that those in the church continue to refer to me, and everyone else for that matter, as sinners.  Again, it doesn't pass the smell test.  The apostle Paul has spoken that Christ Jesus died for sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  So, if Jesus has already given Himself for me, why does the church continue to condemn me?  If you think something doesn't seem right there, you're absolutely right!  One thing that does pass the test is that God loved me enough to create me in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  That He loved me enough to call me His own {First Epistle of John 3:1}.  This I believe. 

For such are false apostles, fraudulent workers, being transfigured into apostles of Christ.  And no marvel, for Satan himself is being transfigured into a messenger of light.  It is no great thing, then, if his servants are also being transfigured as dispensers of righteousness, whose consummation shall be according to their acts

Paul to the Corinthians (2) 11: 13-15, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~