Some Crucial Questions To Answer

 

Yesterday my daughter let me hear a segment of a sermon she was listening to that concerned her. The minister declared in his message that, “A person does not go to hell because of sin because they are covered by the blood of Christ. A person goes to hell due to unbelief!” 

While it is true that a person will go to hell due to unbelief, the way the minister presents his case is misleading. How? Any unforgiven sin against the Lord can send a person to hell – not just unbelief. Judas Iscariot was a believer in Christ, yet he went to hell. Why? Not because of unbelief. But because he never repented of his sins to God. He committed suicide due to his sin of betrayal of the Lord Jesus for money (Matthew 27:3-5).  Another problem with his logic is that he is implying that all sin is forgivable except unbelief. Is not unbelief in the atonement of Jesus a sin too? Yes, it is. All sin is forgivable, including unbelief.  As long as a person does not die in unbelief, the word of God is powerful enough to the convert the soul of the unbeliever and make them a believer in Christ.

Another question I need to present is this one. If a person dies in unbelief, were their sins forgiven? Many Christians would reply with a resounding yes! My answer is no. Why? How could anyone go to heaven if their sins were never forgiven? They cannot. Sin is a debt owed to God. When one believes, Jesus takes away their sin debt making them free. From a judicial-forensic standpoint, their sin is gone. Their sins will never be held against them. So, if person goes to hell, that means their sins were never taken away and they died in an unforgiven state. The condemned person will be ladened with their sins forever separated from God. All sin MUST be paid for – either by Jesus for those of us who are saved, or by the sinner themselves who never repent.

To say that Jesus forgives us of all sin, and one dies in their sins and goes to hell means that Jesus’ atonement was ineffective to save. Because in the final analysis the person went to hell anyway. This is a form of double jeopardy – Jesus paying for sins at the cross and the sinner paying for their own sins in hell. The Bible never teaches a double payment for sins. Either Jesus pays your sin debt, or the sinner pays it themselves in hell.

What many are teaching is that Jesus has already forgiven the sins of all men before they even repent and believe the gospel. While the atonement provision is available, it does not apply to anyone savingly unless they fulfill the necessary condition – one must believe (John 3:16). The already forgiven-of-sins-prior-to-repentance doctrine is the proverbial putting the cart before the horse.

Here is the sum of the matter: Once a person places their faith in Christ’s sacrifice alone for the remission of their sins they are forgiven – forever. They are a new creation in Christ (2 Cor 5:17).

Once a person willfully rejects Christ, they are condemned. If they die in that condemnation, they will be eternally lost (John 3:36). They have died in their sins (John 8:24).  You see, it is one or the other. If Christ is your sin bearer, all of your sins have been removed. If Christ is not your sin bearer, all of your sin is yours to bear. Translation, your sin remains (John 9:41).

A good article to read below: 

https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/piper/piper_atonement.html

Temporal Sins Eternal Punishment

This article is the negative balance of the prior one. The question has been asked, “Why should someone suffer eternally for a temporary life of sins?” That is a valid question. When we sin, it is ultimately against an infinite being – God Almighty. He requires eternal punishment for a life of unrepentant and unforgiven sins. God is completely holy and in His perfect wisdom decided it would be this way. The Lord will not allow evil men to rebel against Him and not suffer the just penalty for that rebellion. The reality of eternal punishment should strike us with fear to the point that we cry out, “LORD WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED – TODAY” (Acts 16:30; 2 Cor 6:2)!  

Think about it, God forgives those eternally who trust Jesus Christ as their sin bearer. It only makes sense that He would punish those eternally who do not believe that Jesus is the only way truth and life (John 14:6).  Why do men reject the truth after hearing it explained to them? Jesus said it perfectly, “Men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil” (John 3:19).  The Bible also says that the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit, for it is foolishness to him; and he cannot know them for they are spiritually discerned (1 Cor 2:14).  That word foolishness in the Greek is where we get our English word moron. To the unbeliever, it is stupid to believe in Jesus. And in their mind if it is stupid why believe? To the unbelieving world to be a Christian is to be an idiot. So as far as they are concerned, it is wise to reject Jesus. Who wants to be called a fool for following a Jewish man who claimed to be God some 2000 years ago and then dies naked on a cross like a criminal!  What kind of God does something like that? Why do so many people believe such a bizarre report? 

Okay, no more playing devil’s advocate. 

All one needs to know about how to be saved is contained within the pages of Holy scripture. God has clearly laid it out. If one truly wants to know the Lord, God will reveal himself to them (Deut 4:29; 1 Chr 28:9: 2 Chr 15: 2; Jer 29:13). 

Once someone is willing to hear the truth, God will open their heart like Lydia (Acts 16:14), flood them with His love of the gospel (Rom 5:5). The grace of God poured on them will be too irresistible to deny and they will trust in Jesus Christ for their soul salvation. To deny God’s love will only leave His judgment on that person. If they die in their sins, that means they were not forgiven. They rejected the truth. And now they must pay for their own sins eternally in hell/lake of fire. The blessed invitation is extended to all men to come to Christ so that He can pardon their sins forever with His blood. That means you are covered. To reject Christ is the ultimate blasphemy. To turn your back on God proves your hatred of Him. That person proves why they deserve eternal punishment – they have denied the only way they could ever be saved.  

John the apostle wrote the same thing twice. Once in the gospel bearing his name, and the other time in 1 John 5:12, “He that has the Son has life. He who does not have the Son does not have life.  The New American Standard (NAS) version says it like this, “He who has the Son has the Life. He who does not have the Son does not have the life (italics added for emphasis). John 3:36 adds this fearful warning, “but the wrath of God abides on him.” 

Eternal Forgiveness Temporal Punishment

The word of God is replete with scriptures that make it clear we have eternal life abiding on the inside of us if we are Christians. What that means is that we can never lose our salvation although many believe we can. If we can lose eternal life, then it is not eternal is it?  

Eternal life along with eternal forgiveness are inextricably linked. God does not save a life forever and not forgive that life forever too. God saves who He forgives and forgives who He saves. Why do I belabor this point? Because you have many that tragically believe and teach that a sinner that Jesus shed His blood for on the cross and saves can somehow void the power of the atonement through sin and nullify the grace of God once given to that person. What that means is that the person has allowed their feelings to override the authority and truth of God’s word. Saying it another way, the person does not have faith in the word of God; they have more faith in their vacillating feelings of doubt toward God and His word. 

That is a sin. 

We must not base our salvation on our feelings. They often betray us. We must base our salvation on the immutable word of God – only! If we hear and read the gospel to ourselves daily, the more faith will come (Rom 10:17), and the more confidence we will have in the promises of God. Doubt will disappear. Take rest in the fact that our salvation is secure. We can also take comfort that our salvation does not depend upon us to keep it. God is the one that saves us and preserves us in our salvation. So, what is the believer’s responsibility? We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling knowing that it is God who is working in you both to will and to work His good pleasure (Phil 2:12-13). I heard one preacher say it this way, “We have to work out what God has worked in.”  Saying it another way, we must develop our salvation daily. That is what sanctification is all about – conforming to the image of Christ.  

Now I want to switch reels. When there is unconfessed sin in the lives of believers, that is when doubt is at its highest for many. Meaning that is when people began to lose faith in God and His promises. Guilt overrides faith. The word of God is still as powerful and present as ever, but the person who is in sin loses assurance of their salvation and relationship with God. The guilt one feels is a good thing. That is the Holy Spirit convicting one of sin (John 16:8-11). The point of this is to drive the person to repentance so that they can be cleansed of their present unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Even as believers we need to confess our sins to God – not so that we can be saved for we already have salvation, but so that we do not break fellowship with the Lord. Confession of sin keeps our inner man clean. It clearly shows the love of God to chastise or punish us in this way.  

It would be wise for us to keep this truth in mind. The greater the offense, the greater the punishment. Just as our natural parents punished us when we got out of line so that we could 

get back on the right path, our heavenly Father does the same thing. It is all motivated by love of the Father to His children. We are not to despise the chastening of the Lord. Just because discipline is often needed; does not mean He no longer loves us. It is because God loves us that He disciplines. 

We are never going lose salvation if we sin. But be warned, if we persist in unrepentant sin, then God as an act mercy may decide to end the life of a wayward son or daughter (1 Cor 5:5). They are in a habitual sin state. Currently they are of no use to the kingdom, and are an embarrassment to themselves, the body of Christ, and to the outside world. When the righteous behave like the wicked, they are being hypocritical. This is one of the main reasons unbelievers despise Christians and the church and God. We must represent Jesus Christ far better. We will never do this perfectly. 

But, if we are walking in the Spirit, we can do this faithfully. Allow our light to shine so that men can see our good works which will give glory and honor to the God we profess to believe in, love and serve (Matt 5:16).  

So, rest assured that if we are truly saved, we cannot lose our salvation and be forever punished. We can be severely punished as Christians if we continue to disobey the Lord. That is why I titled the article Eternal Forgiveness-Temporal Punishment. The tragic opposite of this would be Temporary Sins –Eternal Punishment. I will discuss that matter in another article. 

What is true justice?

Justice means just behavior or treatment. Fairness and equity. I would also add respect and equality among every citizen crossing racial, cultural, and religious barriers. 

A Biblical definition of justice is God administering righteousness to His people which is fulfilled in the salvation provided through Jesus Christ. In this sense, God’s holy justice eternally justifies sinners. Biblical justice is salvation by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9).  

Negatively it is divine judgment on unrepentant sinners. 

I supplied the answer before discussing the problem. Now I want to discuss the problem of why human justice can never fully be obtained. 

Due to the total depravity of man, we can never experience complete justice in our neighborhoods, cities, counties, states, and nation. There are many who do and will not see all people as equals. The rich oppress the poor. The strong dominate the weak. The arrogant belittles the humble. Those who are anti-God hate and mock the religious and the list goes on.  

No matter how much government enact laws and write tons of legislation, our situation has seen little improvement. Black people's lives are better than they were in the 60’s during the civil rights movement (although some black conservatives disagree). It has only been 55 years since the voting rights act was made law on August 6th, 1965. When a black person is killed by police, groups like Black Lives Matter are declaring that it is justice for black people to loot stores and property because in their minds that is “reparations.” It is no big deal. The stores have insurance this one BLM young lady declared on twitter. When a people have been oppressed for so long, they will eventually attack like a wild animal fighting for survival. The rage they feel overrides their judgment.

So, in the minds of many two wrongs do make a right. Hate begets hate. 

In other words, oppress the oppressor. Do to them what they have done to us. Let them know exactly how the oppressed has felt for centuries and see how they like it. That in the minds of the oppressed is justice. 

When the wicked execute their own justice, it never leads to peace. It will only produce more hate, riots and killing. Resistance movements that do not bring about effective change will only produce more chaos. Yes, you will have many that will share the same ideals and join the cause, but no human organization is a one size fits all solution. Not even every black person shared the same ideology of Martin Luther King which was nonviolence and civil disobedience. Many with him wanted to take up arms to defend themselves against the white man that was brutalizing and killing them. Naturally, I understand that. It is about self-preservation. It is our natural impulse to protect ourselves and our families. 

What should be our response as Christians? The Bible makes it clear that vengeance belongs to the Lord and He will repay (Deut 32:35; Rom 12:19). To take matters in our own hands is to usurp God’s position and deprive Him of the recompense and justice He wants to execute.  

Do we want to put ourselves in the place of God (Gen 50:19)? 

Paul in Romans 12:21 said, "Do not let yourself be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” Now, let me be honest. The idea of treating someone kind while they treat me with hate is quite unnatural. In my flesh I do not want to do that. You hurt me; I want to hurt you worse. But, if we are determined to do things God’s way, then we cannot get our own revenge. We have the right to be angry and not sin. We must love our enemies (Matt 5:44). This does not mean we trust them. Even as Christians this is awfully hard to do (i.e. love our enemies). That is why most will never do it.  To treat someone with justice after being mistreated seems downright stupid in the eyes of the world. It makes one look weak like a punk. The world is a blood thirsty place. It is kill or be killed. Only the strong survive right? 

We have to ask ourselves some serious questions as believers. Is our own reputation more important than obeying the commands of the Lord and glorifying Him? Are we willing to suffer injustice temporarily by the hands of evil men and wait on the Lord to even the score in His timing (Rom 8:18; 1 Pet 4:16; 2 Tim 2:3-4)?

It is wise to combat injustice. There is nothing wrong with peaceful protests to decry injustice. It is our first amendment right to bring awareness to the leaders of our country of injustice. Our country was born out of pain in the American Revolution against the British Crown in the late 18th century. It is just to punish those who do evil. Worst case scenario criminals should be executed. Those who do not value other people’s lives will forfeit their own through our criminal justice system or by law enforcement. It is equally fair for those in law enforcement to be punished if they are abusing and killing innocent law-abiding citizens. They are to protect and serve the innocent. Not harm and kill them. 

Because these are human institutions pure justice will never be meted out to everyone’s satisfaction. Where some may feel justice was served in a particular situation, others will feel a grave injustice was delivered. Like in the case with the O.J. Simpson trial some 25 years ago. Just as there were those that insisted, he was guilty of double murder because he led police on a slow speed chase on the 405 freeway with a gun to his head in the infamous white Ford Bronco driven by his friend Al Cowlings, there were others that felt he was innocent based on the evidence or lack thereof in his “Dream Team” murder trial defense. 

No one knows if he was innocent or guilty other than him. And even if he admitted now that he killed his ex-wife and her friend, he could never be indicted because double jeopardy is attached since he was acquitted in a court of law. 

Let me end by saying this: We as Christians cannot change the hearts of evil men. Only God Almighty can do that. How? Through the love of God through Jesus Christ and the proclamation of the gospel. Now to the world, the gospel is foolishness (1 Cor 2:14).  They cannot see how preaching can bring the necessary change our world needs. That is because they do not know the supernatural power the Word has to save souls and lovingly compel sinners to be righteous. Psalm 19:7 says the law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul (italics added for emphasis). It is because they are lost they cannot see how it delivers one from sins. A new heart must be transplanted into the life of sinful man for him to see how God sees (Ezek 36:26-27). Without that spiritual heart surgery man is spiritually blind and dead (Eph 2:1; Col 2:13). A man centered justice may give temporary solace to a few, but there will always be opposers of one group justice as injustice.  Once again, man’s justice has never been a one size fits all solution. Once God delivers His perfect justice on a godless world by getting rid of evil forever, all of us who are in the kingdom of God will live in perfect peace.