Jesus plus nothing is what I believe, I would like clarification on why this site
implies that it is actually Jesus plus faith or understanding equals salvation.
The Bible to me is clear that Jesus died for all, all died with him, he saves all
and faith is not required to receive this truth.
Thanks for any
response to my email for I will likely not go back on this site until I see a
response through email.
God bless.
Hi,
thanks for the email. The Bible doesn't teach that He saves all
or that faith is not required for salvation. Faith is not a meritorious act - it
is simply the means by which a person receives salvation. Without faith it is
impossible to please God scripture tells us and those who do not believe will not
see salvation but remains under the sentence of God's condemnation. Jesus
was clear on this and I'll highlight this truth:
Just as Moses
lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that
everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the
world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son
into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever
believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned
already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
(Joh 3:14-18)
All the best.
Thanks for your response
I understand that faith or belief in Jesus is faith or belief in eventually being in salvation, but what I disagree with is that faith or belief is necessary for salvation. The scripture you gave is clear that Jesus was sent to save the world John 3:17. My issue with faith being necessary is that it implies that people that do not know Christ or babies that die will not receive salvation which is not the God I know. I do believe that faith in Christ is freedom, but if faith is necessary then deeds or works are also necessary for salvation as it says in James 2:20. 1 Tim 4:10 Says that Jesus is the savior of all men, especially those who believe. Lam 3:31 says that men are not cast off by the Lord forever, regardless of faith. Zeph 3:8,9 says that God will purify everyone to serve Him and call on Him, regardless of faith. Knowing God is a consuming fire as in Deut and Heb and that he ultimately brings all to salvation as in scriptures I mentioned, why is faith necessary for salvation still? Rom 11:32 states that God assigned all humanity over to disobedience, or unbelief; knowing this would a just, loving, merciful etc God destroy or punish for all eternity the very life he assigned this disobedience or unbelief? Lastly, I'm not saying that justice will not be served or that sin will not be punished, what I am saying is that It is safe to be in Christ before one is punished for rejecting the life they have in Christ. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Looking forward to any response concerning my two questions and God bless.
Hi,
I'll reply to your email properly later but just to clarify, you believe in Universalism - that everyone is saved not matter what do you? So you believe that the unrepentant Hitlers, rapists, child molesters etc of this world are all saved in the end. Correct? Would this include Satan and the fallen angels in your belief? You mentioned at the end of your email that there is a punishment - Scripture speaks of this and tells us that at the Great White Throne of Judgment all those that are are not written in the Lamb's book of life are judged and thrown into the lake of fire. (Rev 20:11-15). Is this the punishment you speak of? If so, you obviously think this is temporary before they are pulled out I guess? Is that correct?
All the best.
Hello again, thanks for a reply.
I do believe everyone is ultimately in a state of salvation with the life that they have. Rev 22:15 are just those people you mentioned in your response and in Rev 22:17 it mentions to all that thirst, let them come and drink the water of life. In Luke 16:24 the rich man begs for just a bit of water and would essentially do anything for relief of his tormented state, even if it meant repenting and washing his robe as in Rev 22:14. In Luke 17:4 Jesus explains how we should forgive others and in reality that is what God is, merciful and loving even to those that do not ''deserve'' such. The punishment I speak of is falling into the hands of the living God, who is a consuming fire and probably what ultimately makes ones robe spotless. Not all will be saved from being in a state of agony, but the bible is clear that Jesus is the Savior of the World and faith only helps this process which will or has ultimately been fulfilled. I see hell or the lake of fire a method of justice to purify those who are unclean, again God is a consuming fire as it states in Hebrews and Deuteronomy. If the flood was imagery for baptism, is it not clear that the whole world was baptized for their sins except for those under the household of faith, Moses? Did Jesus not go and preach to those that died in the flood and all others after his crucifixion? Why would the Savior of the world go and preach to souls that He might later destroy or torment? You asked about Satan and the fallen angels also being in a state of salvation, to this I will not imply one way or the other. I will however give you a glimpse into the reality of Satan. Satan is not a father, not a serpent, not a lion, not an individual being separate from a conscious mind set on the flesh. You might get where I'm headed with that, believe it would only further your disagreement with me if I went into more detail about Satan. In summation of punishment, it can be everlasting if God makes it as much, but what is being punished is not the soul for everlasting punishment but the deeds the soul did would be what is burned or destroyed, yet the soul might still sense this agony for only a time and not everlasting because Jesus saves and purifies all.
Blessings and hope to hear back and soon.