'Jesus repeatedly warned us that a terrible and unalterable fate waits for those who reject the goodness, the love, the compassion for others, the wholesomeness, the peace of heart, the humility, the justice, the mercy, which is God. Jesus would not have issued these warnings if, in fact, noone would ever suffer this fate' (see previous post No 14).
As I read through the Gospels, His words about 'hell' are clearly addressed to certain goups of people: the religiously, politically and financially powerful. So it was with all previous prophets, and notably John the Baptist. To the poor, the bereaved, the downtrodden, the kindhearted, the peaceable and to all longing somehow for God, He declared a welcome into God's Kingdom (cf Matthew 5:3-12). It never seems to matter how they had sinned. And I have to keep reminding myself of two things: this perfectly reflects God's heart to us all, always; and this welcome was offered before He died for us.
When tip-toeing humbly towards the whole subject of God's final judgment of us all, I hold fast to certain truths, those 'high level' truths I've mentioned before. One is that "God is love" (1 John 4:16). Another is that "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). Another is that the greatest of sufferings is endured by God, and the greatest example of sacrifice, love and service is shown to us by God, in Christ.
Some theologies can be spiritually toxic, combining an bleak, unbalanced picture of man with an angry, exacting picture of God. They gain converts through reinforcing our deeply held doubts and fears about God, and hold our loyalty by instilling clear rules about who is saved and who is lost. Thank goodness Jesus was not at all like that. But no wonder He had to be killed by the religiously, politically and financially powerful of His day.
'this welcome was offered before He died for us.' Don't you think that God's mercy has always been available because the sacrifice of Christ has power to redeem all of humanity, both before and after it occurred in history? Otherwise the whole system of temple sacrifice was nothing but a cruel mockery, 'For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins' (Hebrews 10:4).
ReplyDeleteTo avoid the spiritually toxic notions of double predestination, we need to preserve the truth of human freedom, which always includes the possibility that we could lose our salvation. This healthy sense of responsibility, as opposed to a paralysing sense of terror, is what keeps us moving on spiritually, persevering in faith and growing in holiness. We can look to Hebrews again for a good passage on this:
ReplyDelete'Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries. A man who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy at the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by the man who has spurned the Son of God, and profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.' (Hebrews 10:19-31)