People No Longer Need A Savior

A well-meaning Christian said - “Man is still in desperate need of a Savior.” I know he meant well and it may sound right, but think about that statement. It denies that Jesus was and still is the Savior. We do not NEED a Savior, we have one!

Jesus came “...to seek and to save those which are lost” and told people that “if I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me”.  After being lifted up on the cross Jesus said “Father forgive them...it is finished” (Luke 19:10; John 12:32; Luke 23:34; John 19:30)

Christianity is “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” claiming salvation for themselves (which is true), but denying it to everyone else....making it simply an offer from God which must be received and accepted.  In reality the salvation of "all people" was "finished" at the cross of Jesus and proved by his resurrection.  The salvation of "ALL" people is the truth that needs to be believed and shared by the church. It is the message Jesus gave to Paul...

“...the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all people....As in Adam ALL die, even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive...” (Titus 2:11;1 Corinthians 15:22)

"ALL" will become aware of their Salvation when they are "made alive".  There is an order to this knowledge...

“...each in his own order, Christ the firstfruits, then those who are alive at his coming, then comes the end...” (1 Corinthians 15:23-24) 

The ORDER is as follows: 1) Christ is the first to be resurrected to immortality, then 2) those of us who have believed in this age when Jesus returns, then 3) all others at the end of the ages. At that time (probably thousands of years from now) the Bible says...

“...then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be ALL IN ALLl.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

People no longer need a Savior. The Savior came and finished the job more than 2,000 years ago - his name is Jesus!

72 Hours To Save Us

It took God the Father 72 hours to save humanity through His Son Christ Jesus. Here is the way it happened...

"He begins to teach them that the Son of Mankind must be suffering and be rejected by the elders, and the chief priests and the scribes, and be KILLED and AFTER THREE DAYS days rise." (Mark 8:31)

“For even as Jonah was in the bowel of the sea monster three days and three nights; thus will the Son of Mankind be in the heart of the earth THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS.” (Matthew 12:40)

"Now about the nineth hour Jesus exclaims with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi! Lema sabachthani?"...Now Jesus, again, crying with a loud voice, lets out the spirit." (Matthew27:46-50)

"The Jews, then, since it was the preparation (for the high sabbath of unleavened bread ), lest the bodies should be remaining on the cross on the sabbath (for it was the great day, that sabbath), ask Pilate that they might fracture their legs, and they may be taken away." (John 19:31)

"And lo! a man named Joseph...approaching Pilate, requests the body of Jesus. And taking it down, he folds it up in a linen wrapper, and he places Him in a rock-hewn tomb, where no one was lying as yet. And it was the day of preparation (for the high sabbath of unleavened bread). Now following after, the women who were come together out of Galilee with Him, gaze at the tomb, and how His body was placed." (Luke 23:50, 52,54-56)

Three nights and three days later...

Now it is the evening of the sabbaths. At the lighting up into one of the sabbaths came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to behold the sepulcher...the messenger said to the women, "Fear you not! For I am aware that you are seeking Jesus, the Crucified." He is not here, for He was roused, according as He said. Hither! Perceive the place where the Lord lay." (Matthew 28:1-6)

Summary:

Passover that year had begun at sunset on Monday and Jesus had eaten the passover meal with his disciples on Monday night.  Sometime during the night he was brought before the Jewish high priest and tried.  He was delivered over to Pilot on Tuesday morning and was crucified around noon and died on the ninth hour after sunrise (around 3:00 pm).  Just before sundown on Tuesday, Jesus is placed in the tomb by Joseph. 

Tuesday night passes...Wednesday passes...Wednesday night passes...Thursday passes...Thursday night passes...Friday passes - three full nights and three full days.

Just before sundown on Friday Jesus comes to life. It was on the third day from being "killed", and exactly "three days and three nights" from being put in the "heart of the earth". 

And the salvation of humanity is secure! 

That is the way it happened as set out in the Scripture, regardless of what Church tradition may tell you, and it is this good news of the salvation of humanity we are to "Prescribe and teach"... it is the gospel.

"Now I am making known to you, brethren, the evangel which I bring to you, which also you accepted, in which also you stand, through which also you are saved...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was entombed, and that He has been roused the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

“Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all welcome, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, foremost of whom I am.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

"Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome (for for this we are toiling and being reproached), that rely on the living God, Who is the Savior of ALL mankind, especially of believers. These things be CHARGING AND TEACHING.” (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

 Happy Easter Humanity!

Never See Death?

"Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins...truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death" (John 8:24, 51)

So what did Jesus mean when he said “you will die in your sins” and “whoever obeys my word will never taste death”?

First let’s be honest and admit that even believers “die”. All those who believed and followed Jesus during his earthly ministry died.

Jesus was simply saying that it was sin for the Jewish leaders he was addressing NOT to believe that he was sent by God as their Messiah. And since they did not believe this, when they died they would die in that sin of unbelief.

Now look at verse 51 when Jesus says to them “I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death”.

Again, be honest and admit that none who heard him say that are still alive, even his followers.

So what did Jesus mean when he said “whoever obeys my word will never see death”?

It has always been true that if it were possible to ALWAYS obey his word, then we would not die. It was true for Adam and Eve and it is true for us.  However, let me ask you, do you always obey his word? 

Neither did any of them, so we ALL see death as the Bible says...

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...the wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23; 6:23).

And we know that salvation from death is a matter of the "grace" of God…

“By grace are you saved through faith…not of works” (Ephesians 2:8-10).

And when will this salvation which we now have faith in become actual eternal life. Correct, at our resurrection after we die. It is a free gift to all who were born in Adam…sinners...

“For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord…the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and the dead in Christ shall rise…For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive...we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye…the dead shall be raised…death is swallowed up in victory.” (Romans 6:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 52-54)

Most die in their sins like those Jewish religious leaders without believing that Jesus is their Messiah and Savior.  And all of us will experience death because no one can obey all of God's word.  But the gospel is the good news that we will all be saved out of death, into eternal life, as a free gift, when Jesus returns to raise the dead.  

That is what a Savior does.

The Evil Eye

Jesus said…

”...is it not lawful for me to do what I want with what is mine...is your eye evil because I am good..." (Matthew 20:15)

Muslims believe they are the only ones destined for heaven. Christians think the same thing. The reason is that both want their good deeds or faith to determine their salvation. Nevertheless, the world has only one Savior, and his salvation is a free gift, according to the Bible…

“For by Grace are you saved...For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life...For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive...The last enemy that will be abolished is death… so that God may be all in all.” (Ephesians 2:8; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

Christians and Muslims alike have leaders whom they believe are men of God. They follow their teaching and trust and put faith in those men. They may think their faith is in Allah or God, but it is really in what their leaders have told them about Allah or God.

Nevertheless all are destined to hear directly from Jesus, a few in this life and all in the next. And then they will finally understand what God is doing through Jesus His Son, and will declare...

"It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world." (John 4:42)

God saves by "Grace" because God is "good", but religious men see the saving "of the world" by such grace and goodness as "evil".

That is sad...the evil eye.

There Is Born To You A Savior

"Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for ALL THE PEOPLE; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 210-11)

We may best say that if the divine interference is absolutely necessary to the salvation of any creature, it must also be necessary for every creature. The fact that He does save one of his creatures is conclusive proof that He in time will save all of them because if He saves some and not others, a few and not all, the Scriptures which HE inspired would be nothing more than a lying mockery and deceit. God is no respecter of persons.

Alan Burns (-1929)
Faith Fellowship Magazine
Volume 58, Number 1

Don't Be Judged By Religious Ritual

“For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect…” (Hebrews 10:1)

This was directed at the Messianic Jews who had believed and followed Jesus as their Messiah.  They were considering returning to the Law and its rituals as the way to righteousness.  The writer was reminding them that the Law nor the rituals surrounding the obedience to it could make them perfect. 

Gentiles who had believed in Jesus were being encouraged by some of the Messianic Jews to observe the rituals of the Law. So Paul tells them that they should not allow these Jews to judge them by religious rituals...

“Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:16-17)

Sometimes we Christians need to remind ourselves that we will not be judged, nor rewarded, concerning our attendance at Church, envolvement in its ministries, nor its associated rituals.  We will be judged by whether we believe "the word" of  Christ Jesus that he is the SAVIOR of the world.  Jesus said…

“If anyone hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects me and does not receive my sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.…” (John 12:47-48)

And what is the “word” which Jesus spoke which will “judge him” who rejects it?

His word that he has come “to save the world”.  And he will SAVE it and all those who have been part of it because that is what he came to do.  He says he did not come to judge and condemn the world.

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”  (John 3:17)

Those who do not believe that Jesus is the Savior of the world will be “judged” WRONG and be ashamed when in fact Jesus returns and saves the world of sinners by resurrecting them from the dead. At that time all will give account "before the judgment seat of God" as to why they did not believe that Jesus is the Savior (among other things) and then ALL WILL CONFESS AND BELIEVE which brings "glory o God"…

“God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father… For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God” (Philippians 2:9-11; Romans 14:8-12)

Savior of ALL

"We trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those that believe" (I Timothy 4:10).

It has been argued to me that if God is the Savior of all, then there is no difference between the believer and unbeliever. Of course there is a difference, one believes him, and one does not. One trusts that he has been saved, the other does not. They are both saved because God through Christ Jesus has saved the whole world – all men, yet only the believer can enjoy the knowledge of that Salvation. It is their trust in their salvation that is “special”.

“Many more believed because of His word; and they were saying to the woman, It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this one (Jesus) is indeed the Savior of the world." (John 4:42)

It has been my experience that many Christians believe what they have been told, and have not yet experienced for themselves that Christ Jesus is indeed the Savior of the world of sinners.

“There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith … he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not ours only, but for the sins of the whole world…the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord” (Romans 3:22-25; 1 John 2:2; Romans 6:23)

For the life of me, I cannot figure out how one can be a believing Christian and NOT believe what God says above…but the vast majority of Christians apparently do not …at least not yet.

Teach These Things

While teaching in Ephesus Paul said this about his ministry to Asia…

“…all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:10)

But years later, at the end of his life, he wrote his final letter to Timothy concerning the condition of those who had heard in Asia…

“This thou know, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me” (II Timothy 1:15).

What had they turned away from, and to what? Paul tells those in Galatia plainly…

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-7)

The message being DISTORTED was the good news of the free gift of salvation to ALL MANKIND by the GRACE of God, without the need for any works of the Law whatsoever. And in his final letter to Timothy Paul warned of his fear for the future condition of the church…

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (II Timothy 3:13).

Here is a summary of what Paul was teaching….

“For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord…For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast….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.” (Romans 6:2; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Timothy 4:9-11)

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)

Years ago I watched I news documentary which showed adults and children in Africa who pretty much lived from day to day without hope…fleeing from evil men…starving with no place to go…sick and dying along the way to nowhere.

And a few hours later a television evangelist came on the TV and said that “all people who do not repent and accept Jesus as personal Savior will die and be eternally separated from God and suffer in the eternal flames of hell”. My thoughts immediately went to those starving people in the documentary.

I broke…my whole being and all that I am revolted from such a thing…and I just could not help but be angry. At first I thought I was angry at God, assuming the evangelist was correct and that these starving people would not only suffer in this life but for ever and ever thereafter…in my mind I was shouting at God -- how could you do such a thing!?

And then I realized…I was not mad at God at all. I did not believe that about God and never had, I had just accepted the dogma that my church taught. I was mad at that evangelist and all like him, and those that invite them to speak…I still am.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

If hell is in the doctrine of the church where you meet…get the heck OUT and INTO the Bible. God wins…people are changed…evil will be past…good does triumph...the blessings in the next life will drown out all the suffering in this life.

Sooo practice being good to your families and share the good news of the birth of Jesus, the Son of God who grew up and saved the world!

“But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)

“…we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.” (1 Timothy 4:10)

I can imagine being asked by a defensive church leader. Robert, assuming that the above verse is true (as if the Bible might not be true) and God is actually the Savior of all men and does so, what exactly are we to do, close all the churches, seminaries and missionary organizations?

I would bow my head in prayer and ask the Father for permission to say YES  – but before I did he would go on to ask:

Doesn’t obeying the 10 commandments, repenting when we sin, joining a church, sacrificially giving, getting baptized, reading the bible, winning people to Jesus, getting involved in AWANA, fighting abortion, bashing Obama for his love of Islam and attending and supporting the local church please God?

So I would swallow my pride and humbly say. I don’t know but it will sure please 20% of the Christians I know who need some help in doing those things.

Let’s be honest, none of those things are specifically said in Scripture to please God. But the Bible does specifically tell us what DOES please Him.

The Old Testament prophet Micah, speaking for God to Israel, tells them as simply as can be said what God required of them (simply is the way God says things that are important to Him like He is “the Savior of all men”)…

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)

And just as clearly Paul reminds Titus his friend of what everyone is to do since the grace of God has brought salvation to all men…

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” (Titus 2:11-14)

Pretty clear to me. To sum it up from the Bible…rather than the creeds of religious institutions.

Be just, kind, and humble….and love people!

I know, it is not as easy as it sounds….but it is SIMPLE.

"God, I thank you that I am not like other men…” (Luke 18:11)

This pretty much is the attitude that professional Athletes, Politicians, Philosophers, and Religious people should strive NOT to have, at least in a public forum like news interviews, books they write, or church services.

When we truly come to understand who we are it HUMBLES us. Why? Because we learn to admit our flaws and imperfections.

It is most important for Christians, in my opinion, to understand that a person’s salvation is not the result of deciding to accept an OFFER from God, but a decision BY GOD HIMSELF to save UNRIGHTEOUS sinners. A salvation (from staying dead) based solely on a Father’s Love and Grace…to be done for all mankind. In the moment I came to understand and believe this, any pride left was gone as I realized I was not loved more than any other sinner…we will all be saved by the GRACE of our SAVIOR GOD. Paul expressed this best when he said under inspiration from God….

“The GRACE of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, ALONG with the FAITH and LOVE that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to SAVE SINNERS (not offer to save them)—of whom I AM THE WORST. But for that very reason I was shown MERCY so that in me, the WORST of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an EXAMPLE for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, THE ONLY GOD, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:14-17)

So what about the phrase “who would believe in him and receive eternal life”? Remember, Paul had already said God saved the WORST sinner as an example to all sinners that Christ Jesus came to SAVE them. So it is obvious to me that what he meant by the phrase “who would believe in him and receive eternal life” was that only those who believe that they have been saved as SINNERS can embrace the JOY and KNOWLEDGE that they will have eternal life. It is NOT because they BELIEVE, as if salvation is their choice, but because GOD SAVES SINNERS…His choice. Paul expressed this when he said in his first letter to Timothy….

“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.” (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

Being proud we are not like other sinners because of our wise choice, or our faith, or our concern and love for others, etc. is the problem I see with popular Christian apologists like Joel and Victoria Osteen. Their enthusiasm and positive message and appearance is infectious. However, it is boasting and subtle way of saying “we are not like other men”. That said, however, I do prefer their positive attitude toward life than the opposite extreme…the “turn or burn” negative attitude of some notable Christian fundamentalists.

“…everyone who exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:14)

“You have magnified your WORD above…your NAME.” (Psalm 138:2)

Like King David, it has been my observation over the years that sometimes we magnify God in name only. We are distressed when we hear someone take God's Name is vain…yet do not seem to care whether we know what God has actually said in His WORD. Is it possible that we often go to God’s house, pray to God, and worship God…in “Name” only?

David tells us in the above Psalm that God magnifies His WORD over his NAME and that His “…WORD is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

Take this clear statement in God’s WORD and ask whether you believe God on the subject…or men:

”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.” (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

“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)

“I have come as Light into the world...I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world..." (John 12:47)

From the mouth of Christ Jesus himself comes the truth that he did not come to judge but to save the world. He also told the world that it is God's commandment to give eternal life.

“...the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life...” (vs 49-50)

God will send Jesus back again to save the world from death and give them eternal life. When? The context of John Chapter 12 is about death and resurrection to eternal life. Jesus showed the world his power to raise the dead with the resurrection of Lazarus. But the final proof would be his own death and resurrection! So Jesus declares...

“Now judgment is upon this world (death); now the ruler of this world (death) will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth (resurrected), will draw ALL MEN to Myself.” (vs 31-32)

Praise God, the enemy (death) will be cast out because Jesus was lifted up (resurrected)…and Jesus will return to resurrect the dead and give us eternal life!

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God…the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable…DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory” (1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:52,55).

This is the gospel...and it is for ALL MANKIND...not just for a few who join the local club.

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)

Sometimes I wonder how many Christians actually believe what the Bible teaches. God has promised to save the world. Is that too hard for Him?

“…God our Savior; Who WILL have ALL MEN to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom FOR ALL, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:1-7 KJV)

How is it that those who claim to believe in Him do not believe what He says? Regardless of what men have taught for 2000 years, I prefer to believe God and hold fast to my hope without wavering.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world...So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us…so that we may have confidence for the Day of Judgment…There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (1 John 4:14-18)

Let that sink in for a moment. John was most likely toward the end of his life when he wrote this. By that time he was familiar with the revelation of the salvation of all which Paul had received from the risen Jesus. And John was now certain that Jesus was the “Savior of the world”...not just Israel. And not just a possibility of being saved if certain choices were made…Jesus IS the Savior…of the whole WORLD.

And John says it is because God is LOVE. And there is no fear in the judgment that is to come when one actually understands and believes that God loves the world. When we come to realize and believe, as John did, that God is love…the fear of judgment is CAST OUT.

It is so frustrating for me to see so many Christians who “fear” the judgment of God and yet claim they know God loves them and say they love Him back. You cannot be “perfected” in love and still “fear” God. When you come to know the truth that Jesus is the "Savior of the world" because God loves the world…then you no longer "fear" for yourself or others.

Remember the word judgment just means to “make a decision”. God has made the decision.  God decided to send his Son to SAVE the world …not scare the hell out us.

“…and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” (1 Timothy 1:14-15)

What Happened At The Cross?

Was Jesus Christ our “substitute”. Theologians believe so and sometimes refer to it as “vicarious atonement”. The doctrine can be summarize as follows: Jesus “paid the price” for our sins by dying on the cross. 

Of course this is not true since both believers and unbelievers all suffer and die eventually. NOTE the catch phrases “paid the price”. You hear that all the time in church. Think about it.  If Jesus paid the price for our sin and the wages of sin is death, then we should not die.  Or if the horrible doctrine of eternal conscious punishment was the price for sin then Jesus would have to be eternally punished to "pay the price".  Of course neither is true. Man dies and no one is eternally punished.

Romans 6:23 clearly says that...

"the wages of sin is death”

And 2 Timothy 2:11 clearly tells us that we must die in order to live...

“if we be dead with Him shall we live with Him.”

So what did Jesus actually DO at the cross? First what he did NOT do:

He did NOT take our place so that we should never have to take it.  It is still our place to suffer and die. 1 Peter 4:13 tells us to rejoice that we suffer as Christ suffered...

“rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” 

And Hebrews 9:27 tells us that all die...

“it is appointed unto men once to die, and AFTER that the judgment”. 

The word “judgment” simply means the decision of what to do with us after we die. That decision has been reserved by God our Judge. And God’s judgment (decision) is to give the dead eternal life as a free gift...

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us…For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 5:8; 6:23)

Theologians have got the Church so screwed up in its man made doctrine that it is almost impossible for most people to learn and accept the TRUTH.

Christ Jesus became a man in the incarnation where he JOINED Himself to mankind, to bear the curse of suffering and death WITH us. Mankind is to be delivered OUT of death by the resurrection. Our death satisfies the penalty for sin.  

Again, God has promised SINNERS the "free gift" of eternal life. This promised new and abundant life is demonstrated for us in the resurrection of Christ Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, the first fruits, who has promised to return and resurrect all mankind.

The doctrine of “substitution” denies the union of Christ Jesus with mankind. He is not our “substitute”, he is the “SAVIOR” of all who die as the "wages of sin".

We should open our eyes that they might see and give God the glory for the wonderful promise of the reconciliation and salvation of ALL sinners. Then tell people about it because that is the gospel and it is our "ministry".

"God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself...and has given us the ministry of reconciliation...For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in him (Jesus), and through him to reconcile ALL things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet he has now reconciled you in his fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him (God) holy and blameless and beyond reproach.” (2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:19-22)

Are ALL things really of God? Again… ALL… things, good and evil. Listen to the Apostle Paul.

“For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are ALL things” (Romans 11:36).

“There is but one God, the Father, of whom are ALL things“ (I Corinthians 8:6).

“ALL things are of God” (I Corinthians 11:12).

“ALL things are of God” (II Corinthians 5:18).

“Him who works ALL things after the counsel of His Own will” (Ephesians 1:11).

“For whom are ALL things, and by whom are ALL things” (Hebrews 2:10).

Did God inspire Paul to say this?

Listen, you cannot just harmonize some of the Scripture. Either it all can be harmonized or none of it can be trusted.

It is absolutely necessary, in my view, for God to eventually reconcile and save all mankind if “All things are of God”…the evil as well as the good. Therefore eternal conscious torment in hell must be a false doctrine.

The bible clearly teaches that "ALL things are of God" but it also says WE can do ALL things through CHRIST.

”Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God…We have no confidence in the flesh…I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6; Philippians 3:3; and 4:13)

The truth is the truth whether men believe it or not, and Jesus Christ IS the...

"Savior of the WORLD" (John 4:42)

We Christians sometimes think more highly of ourselves than we should, just because we have come to the knowledge of our salvation as the firstfruits of the harvest. It should humble us, not make us see ourselves as more favorable to God than others who have not been given this knowledge yet. God is the Father of ALL, and His Son Jesus is Lord of ALL.  Together they will Save ALL, and ALL men will eventually have this knowledge.

"...yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. However not all men have this knowledge ..." (1 Corinthians 8:6-7)

God is no respecter of persons. All sinners will be saved at the proper time because that is what Christ Jesus came to do. And apparently the worst sinners are saved first.

"It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all... God our Savior...desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth... Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.…" (1 Timothy 1:15-2:6)

Again, the Scripture is clear that God is the Father of ALL and ALL will come to be in unity of the faith when, "at the proper time" they come to "the knowledge of the Son of God." In the meantime, be kind to people, if they let you.

"...One God and Father of ALL, who is above all, and through all, and in you ALL... Till we ALL come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God... be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4)

Rescued!

"The Lord will rescue me from EVERY evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:18)

We will be rescued from every evil deed when the Lord has brought us "safely to His heavenly Kingdom."  But for now we live in what Paul calls "this present EVIL age," (Galatians 1:4) and it is His will for us to suffer at least some while we are here.
And why not? Just think about it for a minute. If you have never been ill, could you truly appreciate your health and give genuine thanks for it?  If you had never been hated and rejected, could you truly appreciate being loved and accepted?

EVIL serves as the contrast to GOOD. Adam and Eve would have never known how good they had it, except for experiencing the evil that came when they disobeyed. What we learn from experiencing evil is simple.  Good is better than evil.   God and Jesus are good.  Hitler, Idi Amin, Nero, Satan, and many others are not.

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst." (1 Timothy 1:15)

Paul says that Jesus came into the world to "save sinners" and that he has already saved the "worst."  Tell me, who has a greater need to be saved - the Mother Teresas of the world or the Hitlers of the world?  If he saves the "worst" then it seems logical to me he will save us all.  And he will!