Soldiers in each nation's military die for their country. We have a volunteer system, yet it was not always so. And there are always those who defect. But, all in all, we are indebted to our brave and courageous soldiers who risk their lives for their country.
Jesus died for all of us ...past, present, and future.
That fact is often misrepresented. If you think that means that His death allows us all access to heaven, then you'd have to include the most evil person you can think of. Of course, I've often then heard that really evil people don't go to heaven ...yet, that's not for me to call. Nor is it yours to call ...but generally most people don't debate that. Most of us perceive ourselves as relatively good.
Romans 3:23 states, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
None of us really measure up, so according to that thinking ...one would think we all go to heaven, because God is both loving and forgiving.
The truth is, none of us would have any chance at eternal life if Jesus had not died on that cross. But, salvation is not something you win like the lottery, nor is it like an insurance policy.
With the lottery, a person can't win if the lottery isn't set up ...but, just because the lottery is set up does not mean that everyone wins.
An insurance policy has some backing. You sign up, and you get some coverage. Same thing goes for these cards you get in the mail ...where most everyone qualifies. But, we can't just drop Jesus' Name like we wave a credit card.
Salvation is not random, nor is it man's plastic version of the real thing. And we all could win, and do our version of winning souls ...but there are no multiple versions of how our passage to heaven was made available. There is only One way we get to heaven, and that is through Jesus.
Then there is the statement that always seems to come up ...about a desert island where no missionaries have ever reached, so they have not heard of Jesus. Then the claim, "Would a loving God turn away someone who has never heard?" Well, though I feel that was addressed in the first Chapter of the Book of Romans ...it does not apply to you. You have heard. If you say that is not so, then how do you explain having said that it is not so. Wouldn't it be in response to what you've heard or read?
And in hearing or reading, you would have to view it as:
I don't know how a merciful God will judge those who've repeatedly rejected Him ...and I don't know the degree of rejection, nor the circumstances of it. Nor do I need to. What Jesus asks us all to do ...is love our enemies. Those are whom 'we' consider enemies ...and if we can love them, we should be able to love everyone else in between.
Don't forget, that goes for you too. If I tell you there's a skunk in your garage, don't blame me ...I didn't put it there. And if I happen to mention other odorous problems ...don't judge me by how you think I sound. We all are a bit short on wisdom, but God isn't. With our own personal lacking, we often fill the spaces with emotion, but God's Word can fill each of our voids with just what we need.
Don't confuse advice or reproof as judgment. Each of us need help in making correct choices. But, if any of us feel compelled to judge, let us begin by judging our own gratitude ...or the degree of our gratefulness. With ample degree, we should feel compelled to want to please God, not just make ourselves happy.
None of us really measure up, so according to that thinking ...one would think we all go to heaven, because God is both loving and forgiving.
The truth is, none of us would have any chance at eternal life if Jesus had not died on that cross. But, salvation is not something you win like the lottery, nor is it like an insurance policy.
With the lottery, a person can't win if the lottery isn't set up ...but, just because the lottery is set up does not mean that everyone wins.
An insurance policy has some backing. You sign up, and you get some coverage. Same thing goes for these cards you get in the mail ...where most everyone qualifies. But, we can't just drop Jesus' Name like we wave a credit card.
Salvation is not random, nor is it man's plastic version of the real thing. And we all could win, and do our version of winning souls ...but there are no multiple versions of how our passage to heaven was made available. There is only One way we get to heaven, and that is through Jesus.
Then there is the statement that always seems to come up ...about a desert island where no missionaries have ever reached, so they have not heard of Jesus. Then the claim, "Would a loving God turn away someone who has never heard?" Well, though I feel that was addressed in the first Chapter of the Book of Romans ...it does not apply to you. You have heard. If you say that is not so, then how do you explain having said that it is not so. Wouldn't it be in response to what you've heard or read?
And in hearing or reading, you would have to view it as:
- Not significant enough for consideration
- Worthy of consideration
- Something you reject
Sort of like cold, hot, and lukewarm.
I don't know how a merciful God will judge those who've repeatedly rejected Him ...and I don't know the degree of rejection, nor the circumstances of it. Nor do I need to. What Jesus asks us all to do ...is love our enemies. Those are whom 'we' consider enemies ...and if we can love them, we should be able to love everyone else in between.
Don't forget, that goes for you too. If I tell you there's a skunk in your garage, don't blame me ...I didn't put it there. And if I happen to mention other odorous problems ...don't judge me by how you think I sound. We all are a bit short on wisdom, but God isn't. With our own personal lacking, we often fill the spaces with emotion, but God's Word can fill each of our voids with just what we need.
Don't confuse advice or reproof as judgment. Each of us need help in making correct choices. But, if any of us feel compelled to judge, let us begin by judging our own gratitude ...or the degree of our gratefulness. With ample degree, we should feel compelled to want to please God, not just make ourselves happy.
Once again, Jesus is the only way ...so, if you don't accept that, wouldn't it be a rejection of that statement? And if you don't accept the Bible as God's Word, then what other reference do you use for Jesus? What reference do you use for heaven?
And if you cannot stand firm on the references in the Bible, then why would you debate on the availability of our access to heaven if you have such uncertainty as to whether it even exists?
Yes, on earth I feel I need insurance ...but what I find worth the most is assurance. And I find it in Jesus.
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