The way grace is taught these days, if we take it on face value and apply what scripture says about grace, it becomes apparent that they are actually teaching “Universalism.” Unwittingly perhaps, but they are teaching it nonetheless.
What is Universalism?
Christian Universalism is a school of Christian theology which includes the belief in
the doctrine of universal reconciliation, the view that all human beings will ultimately be restored to a right relationship with God in Heaven, and the New Jerusalem.
It's the teaching that everyone goes to Heaven in the end. Everyone is saved.
How can Christians be unwittingly teaching such a thing, being that they clearly state in their doctrines of faith that one must accept their Christ in order to be saved? When you examine modern Christian teachings on grace and the purpose of the cross and then apply those principles to what scripture teaches, you are left with no other choice but to accept Universalism. This is simply and easily proved.
First, Christians teach that we are “justified by the blood.” It is unanimously accepted that Christ finished the work of salvation on the cross, at the moment he died. His shed blood, therefore is our only salvation. (According to them). How does this equate to “Universalism?” Because scripture says that Christ died (shed his blood) for the “sins of the whole world.”
1 John 2:
“2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. “
~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1 Timothy 4:10
“10 For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those that
believe.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ephesians 1:7
“7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; “
If all one needs is the shed blood of Jesus in order to be “justified” and saved, and if that salvation is “regardless of what you do or don't do,” then the whole world is saved, because Christ's blood covers the sins of the whole world according to 1 John 2: 2. This conclusion is inescapable.
Christians also teach that we are saved by grace and “justified by grace” alone. How does this equate to Universalism? The entire world has been given the grace of the cross of Christ. Common sense dictates that if Christ died for the “sins of the whole world” then the whole world's sins are forgotten and nailed to the cross. The whole world is now “imputed as
righteous.” The whole world has grace. Indeed, scripture says that the grace of the cross has been shed upon the world.
Colossians 1:
“5 For the hope which is laid up for you in Heaven, whereof you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and brings forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day you heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:”
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Titus 2:
“11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, “ Let's approach this logically shall we? Popular teaching says that we are saved by grace alone, and grace has been granted to all men through the blood of Christ shed for the entire world. Yet, here's where Christians then contradict their own teachings. While they say we are “saved by grace through faith” and that it is “regardless of what we do or don't do,” whenever you point out the obvious Universalistic underpinnings of their teaching they say, “but no, you have to believe in Jesus.”
Hold the phone! We are saved by grace and it is “regardless” of what you do or don't do! Right? We are saved by the “blood of the Lamb,” and nothing else? When Christ hung on the cross he said “it is finished,” (thus completing the work of salvation) and he hung on the cross “for the whole world.” Isn't that what Christians teach?
Christians can't seem to make up their minds. Do we have to “walk in faith” and show forth through our “confession” and our lives of service, showing that we are true believers in order to be saved or are we saved by “grace” alone and by the “finished work of the shedding of Christ's blood on the cross?” Both cannot be true!
If the latter is true then the whole world is saved according to their teaching when we take the scriptures to heart that say “Christ died for the sins of the whole world.”
Christ's atonement was for “the whole world.” By the blood you're sins are atoned for, your sins are “not imputed” to you, therefore the sins of the world are no longer “imputed,” for he shed his blood “for the whole world.”
Again, it's irrefutable.
Clearly, there's more to salvation than just having your sins paid for on the cross and having the blood of Christ shed for you. Surely there's more involved to being saved than just “God's shed grace” on you. Otherwise, why would anyone have to receive Christ or even believe in him? He died for the “sins of the whole world,” and it says “especially for them that believe.” It doesn't say “only for them that believe.”
Their own teachings of grace preclude the requirement of receiving Christ and accepting him because those are works and they teach clearly that grace is “without works,” and salvation is without works.
There is a huge hole in their teaching that atheists on the internet drive a truck through on a daily basis.
You cannot have it both ways. You cannot say that Christ died for the sins of the whole world and that grace has been offered to all men as a result of that death, also say that we are “justified” by Christ's sacrifice alone, also say that grace has nothing to do with what you do or don't do, and then turn right around and preach that you must “ask Jesus into your heart” to be saved.
Asking Christ into your heart or saying any sort of prayer whatsoever in order to be saved is “doing something” to be saved, which is “salvation by works.” Clearly!
Yes, it's so easy to see that there is something wrong with the modern Christian concept of “salvation” that even the non believing atheists can spot the holes.
“Christ died for you but if you say this isn't so, then I guess he didn't die for you.” That is a direct contradiction to their own scripture!
It does not say that Christ died only for those who believe!
It says “while we were yet sinners” (non believers) Christ died for us!” (Romans 5:8). Again, let's apply their logic to faith itself. Christians conclude that because Christ died while they were yet sinners and while they were yet unrighteous therefore righteousness is not required for salvation, and we are not required to stop sinning. Well, Christ also died while they were yet “unbelievers.” By this same logic therefore, belief is not required for salvation! Clearly their logic is flawed. We know that belief (faith) is a requirement for salvation, even though Christ died while we yet had no faith. Christ's death was not contingent upon us believing. Christ died for us and he did not require us to stop being an “unbeliever,” first. Do we conclude that since he died while we were “unbelievers” we can remain “unbelievers” and still be saved?
Therefore, it is illogical to conclude that since Christ died while we were yet sinners, this must mean we are not required to stop sinning.
They say that grace, forgiveness and salvation are all unconditional and that the work of their salvation was finished the moment Christ died, but then they add conditions to that salvation. Some of the conditions they add:
You must confess you are a sinner. (That is a work, a condition).
You must believe in Jesus as your personal savior. (That is a work, a condition). You must accept Jesus into your heart. (Work).
You must say the sinner's prayer. (Works).
Either salvation is a “free gift” brought on by the sacrifice of Christ, in which case all are saved for Christ “died for the sins of the whole world,” or salvation has requirements upon the believer. Both cannot be true.
Modern Christians like to play both ends against the middle. Their entire teaching on salvation is complete hypocrisy, for they say they don't have to “do anything” to be saved but put on all these stipulations upon the unbeliever, what he must “do” to be saved. It's
hypocritical because the Bible says that Christ died for the unbeliever as well as the believer. In fact, the Bible says everyone was an unbeliever when Christ died! The Bible concludes all in “unbelief.”
Romans 11:
“32 For God has concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. “
Salvation is now being offered to all men, so where do the Christians get off saying salvation is only offered to “them that believe?” They were unbelievers when Christ died! Scripture concludes all men in unbelief. So, if Christ died for them while they were still unbelievers, where do Christians get off saying that Christ only died for you if you are a believer?
Their teaching that all you need is “grace” and “the blood atonement of the finished work of Christ” is contradicting everything else they teach themselves about being saved.
Clearly, since Christ died for the whole world, Just the fact that Christ died for me does not save me (even though Christ's death is sufficient to save me if I believe). If one is saved merely because Christ died for them, the whole world is already saved and religion and faith, belief is pointless. It's been rendered moot by Christ, who finished the world's salvation on the cross!
The Apostles did not teach that we aren't required to “do anything for salvation,” they would not have taught that for Christ made it clear that “only they who do the will of his Father” shall be saved. (Matthew 7:21). Christ taught, “he that endures to the end, the same shall be saved,” (Matthew 24: 13) and the Apostles taught “work out your own salvation with much fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2: 12).
So, what is the true Biblical concept of “salvation?”
To attempt to define salvation in scripture would require a whole book in and of itself. For our purposes we only need “summarize” generally what is “salvation.” Basically, it is
unanimously agreed upon that salvation means, “to rescue, to set free, to save, to help in distress, to deliver, to ransom.”
When most modern Christians say they are “saved” what they actually mean is they are “saved from the punishment of their sin, they are rescued from God's wrath, they are
delivered from the consequences of their actions.” In short, they are “set free from the ravages of sin.” This is not to mean they believe they are set free “from sin” itself. No. Christians do not believe a human being can truly ever be “free from sin.” So, salvation to most Christians means “saved from punishment” and not saved from the behavior that brings the punishment.
As you can well imagine, this is a huge problem.
As we saw earlier, salvation, according to scripture is a “hope.” It's something one must “apprehend” and “attain,” through perseverance and endurance.
Matthew 24:
“13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. “ ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Philippians 2:
“12 Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1 Thessalonians 5:
“18 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1 Peter 1:
“5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. “
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Romans 13:
“11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”
Salvation is not just a way for our souls to get to Heaven. It's not just “eternal life” or the “promise of eternal life” (although it is both of those things). Salvation is “redemption” of our bodies as well:
“23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, for the purpose of the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for it?
25 But if we hope for that we do not yet see, then do we with patience wait for it.”
We are not just saved spiritually. Our entire being is saved, including our bodies, which are preserved (saved) through sinless perfection, through a transformation and a renewing of our minds.
1 Thessalonians 5:
“23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. “
The Ransom Paid
Scripture depicts Christ as having saved us by “paying a ransom.” Mark 10:
“45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
1 Timothy 2:
“6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. “ Christianity once taught the “ransom theory of atonement.”
The ransom theory of atonement is a doctrine which relates to the meaning and effect of the death of Jesus Christ. The theory was first proposed by Origen. It teaches that the death of Christ was to “pay the price” for our sins and to “pay the ransom.” Depending on which sect of Christianity you listen to, the ransom is said to have been paid to Satan, or to death itself, or paid to God Himself. The idea is that Christ had to satisfy the debt in order to “free” humankind from “inherited” or “Original Sin.”
"Redemption" literally means "buying back." It was common practice to take all POW's you captured and put them into slavery. It was then, also common practice that if your enemy wanted these POW's back they had to pay the “ransom.” The “ransom theory” teaching relies on Mark 10:45 and 1 Timothy 2: 5-6 shown above. The main idea is that a person's sins have "sold them under sin and that these sins alienate them from God, until Jesus, by shedding his own blood ransomed people from death (by paying the penalty for their sins).
There was some debate for centuries as to whom Christ had to pay this ransom. The ransom theory has since evolved until it's widely accepted that the meaning of the ransom theory should not be taken in terms of a business transaction (who receives payment), but rather as the emancipation of human beings from the bondage of sin and death. The theory evolved then to the “satisfaction” theory of atonement which says that Jesus Christ suffered the crucifixion as a substitute for human sin, satisfying God due to Christ's infinite merit. However, some still do preach the “ransom paid to Satan” view of atonement, such as Anabaptist and some Pentecostals (like Kenneth Copeland Ministries).
Mark 10 uses the word: is the “lutron” (λύτρον) which means “something to loosen with.” The word used in 1 Timothy 2 is: antilutron (ἀντίλυτρον) which means “redemption price, ransom price.”
So Christians have once again unanimously missed the meaning of “ransom.” Both Mark 10 and Timothy 2 say that Christ himself is the ransom, not that he paid a ransom. Christ is the ransom. His life for our life. The only question that remains is what are we “loosened” from by this ransom? From what are we set free?
That is really no mystery. While Christians are debating whether God is paid the ransom, or Satan, or death himself we can go to the scriptures and find out who or what held us captive then the answer to that question will become obvious.
Christ made this clear. John 8:
“31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you
continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We are Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: why do you say, You shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant does not live in the house: but a Son abides forever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” Christ gave himself as a ransom to set us free from the bondage of the sin itself. Paul explained this in even greater detail:
Romans 6:
“15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Don't you know that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of
righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as you have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to
righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when you were the servants of sin, you were free from
righteousness.
21 What fruit had you then in those things whereof you are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
you have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Our salvation, our great hope is to be “glorified” some day, even as Christ rose from the dead and was “glorified.” This cannot happen, however, unless we purge ourselves of sin and walk “free from sin” in the Power Christ has given us by his own shed blood. We cannot inherit the Kingdom by walking in flesh. Only by yielding to the Holy Spirit and being a