Category Archives: Romans

Universalism: Good News or Same Old Lie?

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QUESTION:
Someone told me they believe the Bible but also believe there is no eternal punishment and that the greek word associated with eternal punishment really meant for a limited time but the church translated it “eternal” to control people through fear.  Is that true?

ANSWER:
Some refer to this teaching as Biblical Universalism trying to distinguish themselves from traditional universalism that denies the Scriptures.  While Biblical Universalism claims to believe the Bible it is important to understand which “Bible” they believe.

First, they deny all major translations of the Bible as being accurate.  These “mistranslations”  include the King James Version, New International Version, New American Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, the Amplified Bible, New Century Version, New Living Translation, International Standard Version as well as almost all others.   Instead, they refer you to a few obscure translations which, if you will check it out, you will find were almost exclusively done by other universalists who were not well educated in the original languages and had a point to prove by “correcting” the translations done by scholarly teams of translators from a broad spectrum of doctrinal and theological backgrounds with no “ax to grind”. A key to cult success and heretical teachers is to undermine the trustworthiness of Scriptures so you are left having to depend upon their word, or their translations, for the “truth”.

It does not take a lot of research to torpedo this heresy and you don’t have to be a Greek scholar to do the research yourself.  The foundation of their belief revolves around the meaning of the Greek word “aionios” which they say means temporary. (And two hundred years before Jesus it was used to mean temporary but word meaning changes over time and in Jesus’ time the word clearly meant “eternal” as we will see in Scripture.)

Matthew 25:46 says, “Then they (the unrighteous) will go away to eternal (aionios) punishment, but the righteous to eternal (aionios) life.”

Basically, their claim  is that the second time the word is used it means “eternal” but the first time it is used in this sentence it means “temporary”. To an unbiased observer it would be clear that since Jesus used the same term to describe the length of both the punishment and the reward then both are equal in duration. If the punishment ends after a period of time then clearly the reward also ends after a period of time.  Obviously Biblical Universalism finds elaborate ways to deny this clear connection and say the same word can mean different things even though used in the same sentence.  While a word can mean different things though used in the same sentence (A fly landed on my fly and would not fly away), there is no justification for applying differing definitions in the Matthew statement.

But a simple Bible study of the word “aionios” will further sink the univeralist ship and clarify the meaning of the word without referring to any translations – the major ones or their obscure ones.

Looking up the word aionios we see it – or its derivatives – are used 72 times in the New Testament.  Of the 72 passages where the word is used, 59 times it is used to describe things even Biblical Universalism would agree are eternal: eternal Life – 43x, Spirit of God eternal – 1, Everlasting God – 2, Eternal glory – 3, eternal consolation – 1, God’s power is aionion – 1, Eternal salvation – 1, eternal redemption – 1, Jesus is alive aionion – 1, Everlasting kingdom – 1, eternal gospel – 1, eternal inheritance – 1, eternal covenant – 1, eternal habitation prepared – 1.    All agree these things last eternally, not just for a period of time.

If in all those instances the word clearly means “eternal, without end” how can we suddenly translate it as temporary when it refers to punishment (1x), damnation(1x), destruction(1x), judgment(1x) and hell’s fire (3x)? Based on the fact that aionion clearly refers to things we would all agree go on without end in the overwhelming uses of the word, there is no justification to suddenly change its meaning when we apply it to things we are not so fond of – fire, judgment, punishment, destruction, damnation.

While Universalism pleases our natural senses (it would be comforting to think the horrors of hell are only temporary – or non existent at all)  there is no Biblical evidence to support this. Punishment, damnation, destruction, judgment and the fires of hell are serious matters, they are eternal matters as the Bible clearly teaches and as the church has taught since its beginning. Universalism is the same lie the serpent told in the garden, “Go ahead, disobey God.  You won’t die.” The serpent still hisses that lie today through Universalism.

Finally, everything within me wants to say, “I wish their interpretation was true” but to do so would be to question the perfection of God’s judgments.  Do I dare think I can improve upon God’s method, or call Him too harsh or too strict because in my natural mind I can’t grasp or justify eternal punishment.  All I can do is rest in God’s sovereignty, wisdom, mercy and grace and be confident that at the day of judgment I will agree with the multitude in heaven that declare, “true and just are his judgments”, a declaration made twice in the book of Revelation (16:7, 19:2) and affirmed in history and throughout the ages.
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Romans 11:33-34
Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?

[photo credit]

[For a more scholarly look into Matthew 25:46]

I have decided to follow Jesus (sometimes).

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“Most problems in the church today are due to the fact that so many Christians are still trying to decide if they want to be followers of Jesus Christ.”

When deciding how I will respond to an offense, a temptation, an opportunity to be less than honest or a thousand other daily decisions, I am deciding, “Do I want to be a follower of Jesus at this moment?”

Of course, I don’t usually realize that is the decision I am making.  I think I am just deciding “What are the odds of me getting caught if I do this?” or “What’s in it for me if I do that?”  But, in reality, this quote reminds me that I am deciding, “Do I want to be a follower of Jesus in this situation? When I see that as the decision, the answer is obvious. “Yes!  Yes, of course I want to follow Jesus in this situation!”

I may not want to be honest because it could be embarrassing.  I may not want to be kind because I am too busy or too bothered.  I may not want to resist that temptation because obviously it is something I would enjoy.  (You are never tempted to do something that won’t bring you pleasure or benefit at least in the short run.)  I have one “wanter” – the will of my old nature – that wants to succumb to the temptation.  But, deep within me there is another “wanter” – the will of my spirit – that wants to follow Jesus regardless of the consequences.

So which “wanter” will win – the sinful nature or the spirit?
The bigger and stronger one will win.
Which one will be bigger and stronger?
The one I feed the most.

Feed the spirit and your sinful nature will become weaker and weaker.
Feed your sinful nature and your spirit will dry up within.
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Romans 8:5-6
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

How to identify a Christian

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John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
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We have developed lots of ways to let the world know we believe in Jesus. Bumper stickers proclaim our faith. Scripture passages on checks, greeting cards and refrigerator magnets; profile descriptions on Facebook; jewelry with crosses, a fish and WWJD all tell the world we are followers of Jesus. Jesus said there would be another way they would know but this seems a little strange to me.  Let me explain.

Jesus says the identification badge that will convince the world that we are His followers is our love for one another.  Notice He didn’t say it would be how we love the lost – though certainly other passages say we need to love, pray for and bless them. He said they would know we are His disciples by how we treat other believers.  I find that strange but actually quite a relief.

It should be much easier to love other believers than it is to love unbelievers.  After all, some of “those people” are actually enemies of the cross.  Some might actually hate or despise us for our faith. Some would ridicule or reject any expressions of love.  How nice that all we have to do is love one another to demonstrate we are followers of Jesus.  That should be easy.  Right?

Unfortunately the evidence is that we often don’t even do an excellent job of loving, forgiving, caring for and ministering to each other.  From the very start of the church we “bite and devour one another” (Galatians 5:15), “there is jealousy and quarreling among” us (1 Corinthians 3:3) and we are experts at “passing judgment on one another” (Romans 14:13).  We say we love everyone but the most basic sign we are His followers is that we simply love other Christians.  Let’s at least start there.

Is there something you can do today to demonstrate to the world that you are His disciple?
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1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.

Why is there evil if God is good?

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QUESTION:
“If God created the devil and put the tree in the garden to tempt man, isn’t God responsible for the evil in the world?  Furthermore, if God can stop all the evil and doesn’t, isn’t He then doubly responsible for it?”

ANSWER:
Sounds like a pretty open and shut case against God. This is a tough issue for a short answer but let’s see what we can discover God is guilty of.

When God made man he was faced with a choice.  If He made man incapable of rejecting God, incapable of choosing evil, then man would also be incapable of truly loving God or others. Love can never be forced.  Love demands options.   For man to be capable of truly loving it was essential that man also be able to truly not love and even hate.  Of course, God knew man would choose this selfish route and it would bring great evil into the world.  Then why did God go ahead and make man knowing the problems He would cause?

IT IS NOT ABOUT MAN
This world is not primarily about man, rather all creation is about bringing glory to God.  How much does it demonstrate God’s love to love only the lovable?  Not much.  God instead chose to demonstrate His great love and mercy by loving a creature totally unworthy of His love.

Furthermore, to demonstrate His unfathomable love God chose to humbly suffer the anguish, the pain, the grief, the loss of being rejected by His own creation. He chose to suffer the sacrifice of His own Son. He chose to give man liberty to destroy Himself and destroy with sin all of God’s glorious creation.  He did this to demonstrate His love for us without regard to our response to that love.  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”   Romans 5:8  What a God!

UNLOVING OR IMPOTENT
Critics would say the existence of evil proves God is either unloving or impotent.  How can He be loving and allow so much injustice when He could stop it with a single word?  If He cannot stop it then He is impotent and no real God at all.  But we see that, far from proving the non-existence of God, evil exists in the world precisely because God is good. Goodness and Love demanded man be created with the option to invite evil into the world. And because God is all-powerful He runs no risk of evil ultimately triumphing.

Furthermore, we must remember that God also chose to share in this suffering that man’s poor decisions would create. He did not approach this world of pain as a pristine visitor to a concentration camp who stands aloof and observes the wretched victims from a safe distance. He dove in, clothed Himself in flesh and drank deeply of the same agonies, rejections and grief known only to the most miserable among us. He voluntarily embraced more suffering than most of us will ever have nightmares about enduring. He was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. (Isaiah 53:3)

A QUESTION OF DEGREES
But why doesn’t God stop men such as Hitler, Stalin, Mao, these evil mass murders? Ultimately He does and ultimately they pay the price for their crimes against God and humanity. None of those men are still on a rampage today though new villains regularly take the place of fallen ones. But to criticize God for injustice in these situations is like reading half way through a novel and criticizing the author for not resolving the conflict. Until the last page of Time’s novel is completed, we dare not cast accusations as to what justice or injustice has been done.

Furthermore, if God did choose to intervene and stop such evil, where would we, in our wisdom, be content with Him drawing the line? Should he strike down every murderer or only after they have killed a set number? Who among us would be all-knowing enough to determine that number? The number would likely be “one” if the victim is a person we know and love.

What about rapists and child molesters, drug dealers and modern day slave traders? Would it be just to allow them to continue in their evil when he stops murderers? If He stops them, then is He to allow thieves and liars to continue hurting people? And if He is to stop all thieves and liars, where would that leave each of us. I don’t believe there would be one of us who could say, “I have never told even a tiny, ‘white’ lie nor taken anything, no matter how small, that did not belong to me.” If we are not content with where God has chosen to draw the line and with His timetable of justice, then who among us is wise enough to instruct Him as to where He should draw the line?

PUNISHMENT BASED ON FOREKNOWLEDGE?
Furthermore, should he punish man based upon what God knows a man is going to do? “I know Hitler will slaughter 6 million Jews and Mao will kill more than Hitler and Stalin combined (some estimates say 70 million Chinese) so to prevent that I will bring them to justice before they harm anyone? And can that be called justice, to punish before an offense? Obviously not. Justice demands each person be allowed to fill their cup of iniquity so when they stand before God they have no grounds to declare Him unfair or unjust in His judgment.

As counterintuitive as it may seem, it is God’s goodness and God’s justice that demand evil have a period of free reign on earth. It is precisely because God is good that there is evil on earth.  Yes, God is guilty.  Guilty of love in the first degree.
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2 Thessalonians 1:6-8
God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

The Bible Teaches Situational Ethics

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Acts 15:28-29 [the church in Jerusalem is telling the new Gentile converts that they do not have to obey the entire law of Moses but here were some things they should not do.]
“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well.
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Wow, it sure was easy to be a Christian back then, wasn’t it?   Just four things to avoid and “you will do well”.  In 2000 years we have added a lot to that list.  But, though these are called “essentials”, Paul later changes some of these requirements based upon the situation.  Can something be right for one person but wrong for another person?  Are there only two choices?  Here is a summary of what the Word says.

Idols really are nothing but wood or stone.  But some people who used to worship idols may have a hard time feeling right about eating meat offered to idols.  If that is the case, even though there is nothing intrinsically wrong with eating it, it would be wrong for them to violate their conscience.  Furthermore, even though I realize there is nothing wrong with eating meat offered to idols, if I am in a situation where it will cause one to stumble or be tempted to violate their own conscience by following my lead, then I will choose to not eat meat offered to idols or any meat for that matter.  My brother’s conscience is so much more important than food.  [See 1 Corinthians 8 & Romans 4]

Based upon the situation, the condition of your heart and dictates of your conscience, what another person may be able to do may be wrong for you to do.  Contrariwise, what another might feel is wrong may be OK for you.  [Obviously we are not talking about anything in direct violation of Scriptural teaching but rather matters of conscience.]  How can this be so?

God understands the weak areas of my soul, areas that might tempt me where another might not have a problem.  For example, there is no Biblical command against using “a little wine for thy stomach’s sake” (1 Timothy 5:23) but because I know my biological father was often drunk, likely an alcoholic, for me it would be a violation of conscience to become a casual or social drinker.  There may be propensities toward evil in our soul that we are not aware of that God wants to protect us from by telling us “No, don’t go there” when He allows others to participate freely.  It is so important we listen to that inner voice and obey, even if it does not make sense or even if others, even Christians, freely participate.  Additionally it is also important we not decide what is right and wrong for everyone else. (Again, we are not referring to actions the Scripture clearly calls sin.)
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Romans 14:4
Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Staying the Course Is Best

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Hebrews 12:1
…”run with perseverance the race marked out for us”
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The Lord has marked out a course for each of us. This passage speaks of the need for “perseverance” indicating that sometimes the course may be grueling. It will not always be an easy road but I can be sure that it is far better to stay on God’s path, no matter how difficult, than to leave His path and begin to blaze my own trail through the briers and brambles.

Proverbs 13:15
The way of the transgressor (the one who veers off the course and begins to blaze his own trail and create his own path) is hard.”

As tough as my course may get, I can be assured that it is still a more joy filled path than any of my own making.

During the grueling times of the race I must do what Jesus did when faced with a torturous part of His race. He did not focus on the pain (the cross) but looked beyond it to the joy on the other side.

Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

By keeping my eyes fixed on eternity – the joy and reward awaiting me for a race well run – I can find the hope, strength, courage and endurance to continue running.

The road may get rough but stay on the path, stay the course and look beyond “the wall” to the joy awaiting you at the finish line.
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2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.

Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Is Jesus For Jews?

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Romans 11:26
And so all Israel will be saved, …
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Does this mean we should not waste our time witnessing to Jews since they will be saved anyway? Does it mean they will be saved just because they are Jews without having to trust in Jesus?”

Often when we don’t understand a passage of Scripture a little diligent study will reveal that the Bible is the best interpreter of the Bible. Questions we have are often answered somewhere else in God’s Word.The key to understanding this passage is how does God define “Israel”. Is it everyone who is born to Jewish parents? Or is it everyone who is a citizen of the political nation of Israel? Or does God define “Israel” as something totally different?

Laziness would lead us to just guess or jump to our own conclusion and often this is the foundation of mistaken ideas so rampant in the church today. We don’t have to wonder or guess. God tells us very clearly who He regards as a true Israelite and Jew, in fact the answer is in the same book – Romans.

Romans 2:28,29
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly … But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter…

Philippians 3:3 conveys the same idea, “we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

So “Israel” is not all the citizens of the earthly nation by that name nor all those born to Jewish parents or a convert to the religion of Judaism. A true Israelite is one who, like Abraham, believes God and demonstrates that by putting their confidence in God’s plan of salvation -which has always been believing, never by works.

Is it a waste of time to witness to Jews?  It can be frustrating but Paul certainly thought it a worthwhile use of his time to pray for their salvation and to present the gospel to them. It is never a waste of time to share God’s plan for all mankind – come to God through faith like Abraham did.
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Romans 10:1, 12-13
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

He’s A Terrible God

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Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
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We hear many explanations for the various problems in the church today but I believe most can be traced back to ignoring this command by Jesus – “Fear God”. We love to “consider the kindness” of God but dismiss the “sternness of God”, a sternness that resulted in Him “cutting off” His own people. (Romans 11:22)

The Bible speaks of the fear of the Lord as a very positive thing. We are told the fear of God causes a man to shun evil and choose to do right. It will deliver a man from the snares of death. It adds length to life and without it you haven’t even taken the first step toward wisdom or knowledge. Take a moment to look up “fear of the Lord” in a concordance and you will likely be amazed at all the benefits promised to those who fear God.

We have redefined “fear” as merely reverence but Scripture is clearly talking about fear, as in terror. Ask Pharaoh, ask a Philistine, ask Ananias of Acts 5, if there is reason to be afraid of God. I understand the logic behind painting God as only a one dimensional God of love but it is not Biblical logic. Jesus clearly says, “fear God”. But is it possible to fear someone and love them intensely at the same time? Certainly! in fact, the Bible (OT and NT) commands us to love God AND to fear Him. (1 Pt 2:17)

This is beautifully illustrated in the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia where the beavers are talking about Aslan being a lion and the children, afraid of meeting a lion, ask if he is safe. “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.” Later Lewis writes, some people “think that a thing cannot be good and terrible at the same time.” God IS good. God IS kind. God IS merciful. God IS love. But He is also a terrible God and not one to be trifled with.
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Deuteronomy 10:17
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, the terrible God, Who is not partial and takes no bribe.

Romans 11:20-22
… Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.  Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

The Word became flesh …

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What an unfathomable concept! The One who filled infinity from all eternity, the One who was and is and is to come, the One whose glory and beauty knows no limits, this One constricts Himself to a body of flesh and shuffles among the dust and sweat of human existence voluntarily subjected to brutality and rejection from those He came to rescue.  He “became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” No angel could have done this.  Revealing Himself to mankind through a book, or other means would not suffice.  The Word had to be made flesh to accomplish God’s desire.

The message still must be proclaimed through megaphones of flesh.  While literature and media are wonderful tools, technology cannot substitute for life exchange relationships, one heart sharing with another.  That is why missionaries still go and we must still send them.  The word must become living, breathing and dwell among men.

But this isn’t just the privilege of missionaries.  Every believer, like John the Baptist, is “sent from God” to represent Him – to be His word, His ambassadors in the dirt and daily grind of the office and job site, in grocery stores and gas stations, cafes and classrooms.  You and I are sent, in the flesh, so through our witness those in our sphere of influence can experience “the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Sample Prayer: Thank you Jesus for making God known to me.  Help me to declare Him to others not only by my words but also by living a life “full of grace and truth” toward those around me.   Let your word become become flesh as I live it out today.
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Romans 10:14
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

 

Sinning in the Will of God

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Acts 1:20 [speaking of Judas and how he betrayed the Lord]
“For it is written in the book of Psalms,  ‘Let his homestead be made desolate, and let no one dwell in it’; and, ‘let another man take his office.’
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Someone asked, “If Adam’s sin was all part of God’s plan then his disobedience was actually fulfilling God’s will and therefore, not really sin.”  Can it be sinful to do the will of God?  In the same way here, it was prophesied that Judas would deny the Lord.  This was part of God’s plan of salvation for mankind and yet Judas is condemned for carrying out God’s plan.  Doesn’t that seem unjust?

The answer isn’t really that difficult to understand.

It should be obvious it is never God’s will that man sin.  God doesn’t even tempt us to sin (James 1:13).  But God understands our hearts.  He knows and remembers what we are made of – dust.  Through His foreknowledge of future events and His complete understanding of our hearts, it is not difficult for Him to foretell our actions.  Just as a parent can often predict which child will obey and which will disobey,  God, who knows the hearts of all men, was able to predict how Adam would respond and Judas’ behavior.  The idea of God knowing the hearts of me is even referred to later in this same event when deciding who would take Judas’ place.   “And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, … Acts 1:24.

They were praying, Lord, just as you knew the heart of Judas and were able to predict his failure, you know the heart of these candidates to take his place.  In your foreknowledge, guide this selection process and help us choose one who will not fail.

Finally, does God’s foreknowledge mean he is responsible for the actions that He predicts.? Not anymore than the weatherman is responsible for the rain when he predicts it.  Knowing what will happen, even if it is a certainty, is not causal.  I know for certain the sun will rise tomorrow but certainly I cannot claim to have made it come up because I know that it will happen.  No, man is still left to follow the nature of his own heart and reap the reward or consequences of following it.
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Job 40:8
“Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?

Romans 9:19-21
One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?” But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?'”  Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?