The Reward of the Saved vs The Unsaved/Lost

POST # 7

I thought I would begin by copying a comment on the subject of faith and works from www.StPixels.com/

Hi mymoss, I really appreciate your posts on this. They’ve got me thinking – this was going to be a very long message, but let me condense it:

Ever since reading George Macdonald’s Lilith, I’ve really struggled with how mainstream ideas of hell etc can fit with God’s love & grace. I don’t know if you’ve read the book, but his picture of repentance, and the way God comes across, is beautiful!

I especially appreciate how you reconciled “the narrow way” with the idea that everyone will be redeemed eventually – it addresses one of my major concerns – we shouldn’t get off easy.

Part of me worries that we’re missing something if we don’t accept the traditional view, but I guess the best thing to do is hope that it’s true and live as well as we can. We may be wrong, but I think God’s big enough to handle that!

Posted 27 Sep 08, 9:48PM by mymoss

Hi;

I really appreciate your interest in the ‘moss’ I’ve gathered over the years since I was baptized. What really kept me attending my church through a very dark and trying time, 25 yrs ago, was its approach to the question of what happens to those who are not called in this life (to receive the gift of faith by grace), but who never committed the unpardonable sin? (blasphemy against the Holy Spirit – Matt.12:31). I believe, as you do, that God must have a way to call them to salvation as he has those in the church, since it began in 31 AD. I knew of no other church teaching it at that time. Like what about all the babies and others who died in remote areas of the world? Does God call everyone in this life?

The clue that I cling to is the timing and description of the resurrection to judgement as given in Rev.20. Also Heb. 9:27 says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement:” I think where some may have gone wrong is in believing that the (dreaded) JUDGEMENT DAY means automatic CONDEMNATION.

I believe that God/Jesus will judge those who come up before him in his usual merciful and fair way that he deals with you and me today. 1Peter 4:17 says,”For the time has come that JUDGMENT must begin at the house of God: and if it FIRST BEGIN at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (emphasis mine) – Yes what WILL be their end? – He doesn’t say! – In my opinion, we shouldn’t be SELF-RIGHTEOUS or ELITIST and jump to the conclusion that THEY will be LOST forever.

Some may ask, “What is the advantage for us to fight the fight of faith here and now, then?” Well if you notice in Rev.20 the nonbelievers’ judgement doesn’t start until after we will have ruled with Christ for 1000 yrs. – That’s incentive enough for me – an extra 1000 yrs with Jesus! The details of Christ’s coming and his millennial kingdom on earth are not widely preached today, other than the reward of the saved is to be with God in heaven and then Que Sera Sera.

As you say, we believe and hope that the mainstream teachings are true and will lead us to a closer relationship with Jesus – our Lord and Savior, to whom we have submitted the direction of our lives. Repentance, among other things, means relinquishing our self rule – living only under our own power – and submitting to God’s guidance to help us recognize his will and choose to do it.

This is getting a bit long, but curious and inquiring minds like you ask, “What about this or that loose end?” Personally, I am greatly relieved that my unbelieving brothers and sisters and ancestors too, are not automatically condemned to what ever separation from God might entail.

I believe that is partly why Paul said, “Comfort each other with these words.” (1Thess.4:18)