“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.” (Jeremiah 29:11; 1 Timothy 4:9-11)
Today is my 64th birthday and I asked myself what I have learned after 64 years of life, 40 of which was spent reading and studying the Bible? I am not talking about going to Sunday school and church but actually making a conscious effort to read and study the bible, every word of it, over and over for 40 years...here is part of what I have learned:
God has spoken to mankind in various ways, but especially through His only Son, Christ Jesus. Mankind responds to God in only one of two ways...they either believe Him or they do not believe Him.
God through Christ Jesus is the Creator and Savior of the world which includes all mankind. So both believers and unbelievers are saved. The only question is the “means” that God uses to bring people to the KNOWLEDGE of their salvation.
Some come to the knowledge of their salvation by the GRACE of God through the gift of FAITH in his present age. For most people, however, the means God uses to give them the knowledge of their salvation is the indisputable visible EVIDENCE which will be presented them after their resurrection. Both of these “means” or “channels” by which people come to the KNOWLEDGE of Salvation are GIFTS from God....this knowledge does not come from works or decisions men make.
Believers and unbelievers alike come into JUDGMENT with regard to their motives, decisions and words. Those motives, decisions and works will be shown to be either good or bad at that time. Good deeds are rewarded in a subsequent age...bad deeds will be the source of shame in subsequent ages.
But there is to be an END to the ages...the consummation of God's purpose for those ages. At that point in time both friends and enemies, believers and unbelievers will have been reconciled to God and glorified in the completed image of God who will then be ALL in ALL. God will have won the voluntary love and acclamation of all of His creation...then follows the really good stuff of immortal, eternal life....
“...as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Today is my 64th birthday and I asked myself what I have learned after 64 years of life, 40 of which was spent reading and studying the Bible? I am not talking about going to Sunday school and church but actually making a conscious effort to read and study the bible, every word of it, over and over for 40 years...here is part of what I have learned:
God has spoken to mankind in various ways, but especially through His only Son, Christ Jesus. Mankind responds to God in only one of two ways...they either believe Him or they do not believe Him.
God through Christ Jesus is the Creator and Savior of the world which includes all mankind. So both believers and unbelievers are saved. The only question is the “means” that God uses to bring people to the KNOWLEDGE of their salvation.
Some come to the knowledge of their salvation by the GRACE of God through the gift of FAITH in his present age. For most people, however, the means God uses to give them the knowledge of their salvation is the indisputable visible EVIDENCE which will be presented them after their resurrection. Both of these “means” or “channels” by which people come to the KNOWLEDGE of Salvation are GIFTS from God....this knowledge does not come from works or decisions men make.
Believers and unbelievers alike come into JUDGMENT with regard to their motives, decisions and words. Those motives, decisions and works will be shown to be either good or bad at that time. Good deeds are rewarded in a subsequent age...bad deeds will be the source of shame in subsequent ages.
But there is to be an END to the ages...the consummation of God's purpose for those ages. At that point in time both friends and enemies, believers and unbelievers will have been reconciled to God and glorified in the completed image of God who will then be ALL in ALL. God will have won the voluntary love and acclamation of all of His creation...then follows the really good stuff of immortal, eternal life....
“...as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)