Universal Salvation and Jesus is Still the Only Way
66I Once Was Lost, but Now am Profound
If there is one doctrine despised by mainstream Christians more than any other doctrine; it is the doctrine that ALL will be saved. Not all in this lifetime, but in the next age.
I was once someone who believed in the concept of an eternal Hell. Well, maybe believe isn't the right word. I had always had my doubts about this particular doctrine, and only believed it, because I HAD TO. But there were some nights where I would read the Bible (I tend to read the Bible at night, because I'm a nightowl.) and I would come across verses saying how "All Israel shall be saved" "I will draw ALL men to myself. (Jesus)" In my state, I was confused. How could the Bible possibly say that ALL Israel would be saved, and that ALL men would be drawn to Jesus, but then many would be cast into Hell for all eternity. Furthermore I was confused by Jesus' teachings that we are to forgive and love our enemies, forgive them not just once or twice but everytime.
But then, there comes a time that apparently Jesus won't forgive his enemies. But that's a whole different hub.
Then I learned about the concept of universal salvation, and certain other concepts, and when I did, the Bible suddenly clicked. It was as if I had been wearing a blindfold (a sheer one), but God had removed it. Now of course there are those people who absolutely hate the idea of universal salvation, and they view anyone who believes in it as evil, Godless heretics. Well, I want to bring something to light.
Because it's honest.
When I believed that there was an eternal Hell, I believed that God had manifested himself into other gods, that Gnosticism had a large point of truth, I had severe issues with anger, I believed that ALL religions were correct in their own way.
Now that I believe that Hell is not eternal, and that eventually ALL men will be saved and reconciled to God, I believe that God is God and all other gods are false, that Gnosticism is BS for the most part, my anger issues aren't as severe, and I believe that NO religion is correct, but that the only correct path is to walk with Jesus.
Hmm and here even I thought that when I was shown the doctrine of universal salvation I would have been like, "YAY! All religions are correct!" but no, the complete opposite happened. Now it's "Wow! All religions are a bunch of bunk! I'm glad that Jesus is the only way, and that following Jesus isn't a religion!"
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If you think about it, the phrase "If you keep steadily into God's perfect law-the law that sets you free..." and the word "religion" are oxymorons. Religion is derived from the word 'religure'
ligure = bondgage.
re-ligure = return to bondage religion = return to bondage
They're are some religious practices that can bind you up, this passage is talking about PURE>>>PURE religious practice like it says "Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us."...nothing about bondage here right?
It also mentions worthless religion "If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are just fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless."
So you have the worthless and to PURE...just do the PURE and you will be fine.
If you feel in bondage serving the poor, the needy, the widow, the orphans....and in bondage because you do not let the world CORRUPT you...then something is wrong inside.
Remember that a definition of a word can give understanding. I am NOT talking about something men make up.
Shalom
According to Strong's Concordance:
Religion as found in James 1:27
Number G2356 - 1) religious worship
a) esp. external, that which consists of ceremonies
1) religious discipline, religion
Other verses with the words containing the same number as G2356.
Col 2:18 18Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and WORSHIPPING (G2356) of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Religious (G2357) - 1) fearing or worshipping God
2) to tremble
a) trembling, fearful
It's interesting to consider that the Greek word for "religious" - ??????? - thr?skos, was derived from ????? - throe? which means "Be troubled" "be ye troubled"
1) to cry aloud, make a noise by outcry
a) in the NT, to trouble, frighten
b) to be troubled in mind, to be frightened, alarmed
Is it not interesting that the definitions of religion, EVEN the pure ones speak ONLY of fear, ceremonies, and worshiping?
I know the definition quite well and have an original copy of a hard back edition of Mr. James Strong (August 14, 1822 – August 7, 1894) and his exhaustive concordance of the scriptures and have been using it for 30 years my friend, I look up everything and was doing it long before a mouse click did it on Blue Letter Bible for you. I did it the hard way
I am aware of this word too.
Religur or Religar: 1-to tie fast 2- a chosen idea to which that a person commits 3-to which that person ties themselves fast 4-to commit yourself to something
(this could be to tie yourself to baseball, movies, Jesus, drugs, to be tied down to your job, etc...)
If I "tie my self fast" to Jesus (Yahshua) I will be safe.
If I "chose an idea to which I commit to" and that is Jesus, again I will be safe.
I sounds like you have been hurt and bruised by many things by the way you converse. Yes???
Let us not get "tied up" on this and ignore what James was saying. If you serve as he said, the widow, the orphan, the poor, if you do not let the world corrupt you, and you control your mouth, then how are you in any bondage?
I guess you won't answer that or did not notice it???
Is this not OK with you? I hope and pray it is.
Also, a proper fear, respect, reverence for and of GOD is all throughout scripture. If we respect and reverence and honor people on earth, then how much more HIM who is HOLY?
Please read carefully.
Matt 10:28 “Don't be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Matt 28:4 “The guards shook with fear when they saw HIM, and they fell into a dead faint”
Luke 1:50 “His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear him.”
Luke 5:26 “And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things today!"
Luke 7:16 “Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God, saying, "A mighty prophet has risen among us," and "We have seen the hand of God at work today."
Luke 12:5 “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him.”
Luke 23:40 “But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Don't you even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?”
Acts 9:13 “The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it grew in strength and numbers. The believers were walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 13:16 “So Paul stood, lifted his hand to quiet them, and started speaking. "People of Israel," he said, "and you devout Gentiles who fear the God of Israel, listen to me.”
Romans 3:18 “"They have no fear of God to restrain them.”
2 Cor. 7:1 “Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God.”
Rev 14:7 “Fear God,” he shouted. "Give glory to him. For the time has come when he will sit as judge. Worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all the springs of water."
2 Peter 2:17 “Show respect for everyone. Love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God. Show respect for the king.”
Eph. 5:21 “subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Messiah.”
Well, there you have it, fear both GOD and HIS MESSIAH,
This is not about "being afraid"..like as in "HE is going to get me" kind of fear...but to respect, honor, reverence, obey and yield to. If every time an angel showed up in the scripture men fell to the ground shaking and trembling, much less when GOD showed up, I think they had reason to fear.
Shalom
Okay, right now, I can tell you that if you're going to have the attitude of "I read the original Strong Concordance in book form before the internet, so that means I'm better than you." then this conversation is over. I don't tolerate people who act like they're superior on a subject, just because they've lived longer.
By the way, Atheists, pagans, agnostics, heck even certain Satanists have visited and served widows, orphans, and the poor. I guess this means that their religion is righteous.
Have I been hurt by religion? Oh yes, and that's why I'm now following Jesus. And no amount of pointing to James 1:27 is going to make me suddenly become religious again.
Attitude of superior?...Negative...this is where letters cannot give understanding about what one is saying because you cannot hear my tone of voice or see my face.
I was simply stating a truth, that I have been at this a while and I am sorry you took it the wrong way. Again, if I thought you were stupid I would never post comments.
Let me ask you this and land this plane.
You say you follow Jesus right?
In what way?
What part of His teachings to you do to prove this following of His Majesty?
You say you follow Jesus, so you are tied to Him?
Are you bound to Him in love? Or do you follow Him from far away?
Do you not believe in the fear of GOD after seeing all the scriptures, including several from Messiah Himself?
Do you have trouble answering questions?
Shalom
Matthew 11:29-30 (King James Version)
29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
John 1:17
17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Acts 15:10-11 10Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Romans 4:14-16 14For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
15Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Romans 11:5-6 5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Ephesians 2:7-9 (King James Version)
7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
I follow Jesus by focusing on him, because when I focus on Him and only Him then by the grace and faith that HE has given me, then I able to follow his laws.
Now then, answer me this. Why is it when I say I follow Jesus, you seem to indicate that, well yeah, that's fine, but I still need to have a religion? That I need to be religious.
By your own definition you have a Religure...you are tied to Jesus and that is a good idea. You are bound to Him. You have chosen to follow Him...by His grace and mercy.
Mayhaps, but I don't consider it a religion.
OK...well I was using your own definition you sent....sometimes wisdom comes after much conversation.
Shalom Friend
Great Hub, Universal Salvation is the Love of God!
Indeed.
Peace be with you.
Oh my, it is almost like I wrote this column myself, you described me perfectly, it is quite the experience to have to deal with eternal torment doctrine and when God frees you from that it is like a miracle, it suddenly a whole new world and everything is gonna be ok and everyone is beautiful. I too experienced 95% less anger, and that is incredible, I am truly at peace and I really love Jesus for this. I think Universal Salvation is really coming back, there is that remnant in many generations that truly understand God and his Character and what he has done for us ALL . Gods anger does not last forever, Gods mercy endures forever, God wills that no man should perish and what God wants he gets. See you all some time in the universe
quietnessandtrust 2 years ago
This is where i see the scripture using this term and then defining it. I think it makes it clear what TRUE religion is and to practice this is righteous. To really just do as James says is OK, to make something up is NOT!!!
thr?skeia: Pronunciation thr?-sk?'-ä (Key)
Jam 1:25 But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law-the law that sets you free-and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
Jam 1:26 If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are just fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
Jam 1:27 Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.
Pretty clear I think.
Shalom