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The Danger
of Universalism Illustrated
Universalism teaches that all people will eventually be saved and that no
one goes to the fiery-hell to suffer for their sins. It means that
everyone is saved, whether or not they have accepted or openly rejected
Jesus' atonement. Of course, this goes against Heb. 10:26-27 which says,
"For if we go on
sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no
longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27but a certain
terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will
consume the adversaries" (NASB).
There is a danger in the Universalist position. It can weaken the
need for someone to receive Jesus as Savior. To prove the point I
provide this "exaggerated" illustration. But, the
contrived universalist sermon below contains many quotes said by
universalists to me. I've just blended them in:
There is this horrible, hateful man who abused all sorts of people in
countless ways. He stole from them, was foul mouthed, a habitual
adulterer, and he openly mocked and blasphemed God. He repeatedly
sought to destroy the Christian Church and did everything in his power to
prevent the gospel from being preached. He was a wretched and evil
man.
This man died and, out of social obligation, all
this relatives were at his funeral. There were lots of
impressionable children, sweet little old ladies, and many acquaintances
from work who had been appalled at the atheists horrible lifestyle yet
were there nevertheless. However, some of the people there were
thinking of sin, salvation, God, judgment, and what death brings.
This often happens at funerals.
A universalist pastor was giving the
message.
"We know that this man was a wretched soul
who did whatever he could to oppose God and blaspheme Christ. He
habitually stole, lied, cheated, coveted, swore, drank, caroused, and
injured. We know that he lived his life in wanton sin and rebellion and
that many people feared and hated him.
"But,
you know what? He's going to heaven. And do you know why? Because
God is too good and loving to let even this wretched, evil soul go to an
imaginary place like hell.
"I know. He hated God and rejected
Jesus. He even cursed the cross and did everything he could to
oppose Christianity. But, it doesn't matter because, ultimately, you
will see him again. Only, he won't be mean and evil. He will
be kind and gentle. Jesus will change him. Jesus loves
him. Jesus loves him more than we can imagine. He also loves
you more than you can possibly know. There is no need to fear Him at
all.
"Some may preach that there is a hell, a
place of fiery, eternal torment. But I tell you that it is a
lie. It is a tool of Tormentists who cannot accept the love of God
and how often enjoy the thought of people rotting in that awful place.
"The Bible says that Jesus is the Savior of all
men. And that means even this awful, God hating, wretch of a man
that has now gone on to meet his maker.
"I preach a message of peace, of
reconciliation, of joy, and of God's redeeming power.
"I preach the truth."
After the service, two of the impressionable
young kids are talking.
"I liked the sermon the universalist gave.
Heck, I was worried about hell. But now I don't have to be worried
about it. Now I know I'm going to heaven no matter what. I know I'm
not that great a person, but if that horrible man in the coffin is going
to heaven, then I am sure I will too. After all, I'm not as bad as
he is."
His friend answers, "Yep, I don't have to
give up my drugs, sleeping with my girlfriend, or stealing CD's from the
music store. Life is great!"
"Well, I don't think it means we can go sin,
though."
"I know. I was just kidding. But
you are right. No worries. No problem."
The two walk off enjoying the new found freedom
found in the love of God, but they now don't need to trust Jesus as their
savior. They have no need to appeal to Jesus to save them, because
there isn't anything to save them from. They walk away unredeemed.
And
let's not forget about the co-worker who has been thinking of going to
church. He has been committing adultery and he has been fearing the
judgment of God. He thinks to himself....
"Whew! Am I glad to hear that message. That
was great! I don't have to worry about anything. Man what a relief. No
hell! I'm going to heaven! Man Oh Man! this is so cool.... Guess I don't
have to go to church tomorrow and I can forget about reading what the
Bible says about Jesus and sin.... no need. Okay, maybe I should stop the
adultery. But, that sure was a good message from that universalist.
I feel so much better about God's love. I feel so much better
knowing there is no hell."
He walks away not having confessed his sins
to Christ (1 John 1:9), not
having been cleansed, not having received Christ (John 1:12), not having been justified
by faith (Rom. 5:1).
.......
an eon later..... heaven.....judgment seat.... God is there.... and if the
universalist is wrong....
Two
boys and a coworker are in hell. They never did trust in Jesus as
their savior. They never did confess their sinfulness and ask Jesus
to forgive them. But, at least they felt good while on earth and
they didn't have to listen to those people who preached hell-fire.
Why is it
that Jesus warned us to not go to the "fiery place" if it isn't
real? Why did He speak more about hell than heaven? Why did He tell us to
turn from sin and be SAVED! Saved from what? Saved from Damnation!
Universalism is a dangerous teaching. It
weakens the need for a savior and that is a great risk to take for such a
dubious teaching.
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