Along this radical journey with Jesus we may face some very good questions from those who do not yet believe or come from a religious background as i did.
Here is a great question that often comes up:
"The lie of universalism is telling people its perfectly fine to worship other Gods because they are all already seated with Christ in heavenly places. "
Its Important to know that there are a few different types of universalism out there. The first part of what this person said here is the type of universalism that says "All roads lead to Rome! Worship who you want, they are all god anyway".
I do not support this type of universalism.This is Secular Universalism.
I believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and NOBODY comes to the Father except THROUGH HIM. He is the Door.
The fact is that people worship other gods based on Ignorance - ie, Its all they know.... their parents did it, now they do it.
The Good News is that Jesus has made a Way through the Cross for ALL MAN - Despite their Ignorance.
On the cross Jesus said, "Father forgive them because THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO - they are IGNORANT"
Jesus did'nt think ignorance was a good thing, hence his forgiveness of it. therefore universalism does not believe its fine to leave people in Ignorance. Jesus wants people to KNOW the Truth and be set Free.
Paul, when he was on Mars Hill was speaking to IDOL worshippers (not Christians) in Acts 17:28 when he said, "For in Him WE live and move and exist, as also some of the poets among you have said, For WE are indeed HIS OFFSPRING."
Paul did NOT exclude these unbelievers from God because of their Ignorance, In fact he calls them GOD's CHILDREN! - He did not endorse their false practice (that would be Secular Universalism), but rather he tells them the GOOD NEWS of their true identity. - They are indeed ALREADY SEATED WITH CHRIST, because that happened at the resurrection.
Remember Jesus said, "When I am lifted up (speaking of his crucifixion), I will draw/drag ALL MEN TO MYSELF (john 12:32). Then in Romans(6) Paul tells us that if we were included in His crucifixion (which Jesus said we all were) then we are also included in his burial, then too are we ALL INCLUDED IN HIS RESURRECTION. He raised us up while we were still dead and seated us WITH him. We were raised up with Him when He was raised up AND NOT WHEN WE BELIEVED. In the same way that God shows mercy to the very ones who crucified him by forgiving them in their Ignorance, our ignorance was Not an issue regarding our inclusion in His life, death and ressurection.
Certainly Ignorance will cause one to miss out on enjoying their Union with their Maker and even cause them to perish* in some cases. (*in this age).
- My people perish for Ignorance. Hence the Good News and "the Hope (deff: certain Expectation of good things) that all would come to the knowledge of God"
A Follow on question from the first one could be:
"If Paul had the revelation that you have, he would have sat back and rather celebrated. Why get beaten to lead people to Christ who are already in Christ. Why become all things to all men to save some."
Well, Paul reveals to us his motivation in 2 Cor 5:14
He says that "we are compelled by love! because we have concluded this: that one died for all, therefore ALL HAVE DIED"
We can see that motivation was the love of God for all men and the ramifications of their co-crucifixion with Christ.
We are not "co-crucified with Christ"only when we believe! But rather we were co-crucified with Christ WHEN CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED.This mind blowing revelation was his motivator.
Love is Motivating him - His message is one of inclusion for ALL MEN into the death and ressurection of Jesus who came because God so loved us, even while we were enemies towards him... even while we were dead in sin. But because of His insane Love he made us alive agian.
What Good News!!! To share our cause for celebration with the Ignorant that they may consciously feel his Love too!! That they may KNOW the truth and be set Free to live in their reconciliation.
All are indeed saved (rescued) by the Saviour. He is "the Saviour of the world" If we dont really believe that, then what kind of Gospel are we preaching???
Its not a Gospel at all.
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