Replying to Nobody

God accomplished many things by having his Son become incarnate and die on Calvary. Through Christ God revealed the definitive truth about himself (Rom 5:8, cf. Jn 14:7-10); reconciled all things, including humans, to himself (2 Cor 5:18-19; Col 1:20-22), forgave us our sins (Ac 13:38; Eph 1:7); healed us from our sin-diseased nature (1 Pet 2:24); poured his Spirit upon us and empowered us to live in relation to himself (Rom 8:2-16 ); and gave us an example of what it looks like when we live in the kingdom (Eph 5:1-2; 1 Pet 2:21). Yet, I believe all these facets of Christ’s work can be understand as aspects of the most fundamental thing Christ came to accomplish: namely, to defeat the devil and his minions (Heb 2:14; 1 Jn 3:8). He came to overcome evil with love.
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Willy Cooper 2y ago

But what is he saving us from? Why do we need to be saved at all? Why all the preaching and warnings about hell if it is not real?

Don't get me wrong. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to believe there is no hell and struggled with that a lot. When it comes down to it though if you believe the Bible is God's word, as many do, we have to take hell seriously.

I will not go through every verse you posted here, right now at least, but this is just the first one Romans 5:8-9

English Standard Version

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

It says right there he died to save us from the wrath of God. What do you say the wrath of God is?

Also why do we need forgiveness of sins if there is no hell?

So you believe everyone goes to heaven?

How do you come to terms with this passage? Matthew 7:13

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many."

What do you think "destruction" means? That sermon I posted goes over this on part of it.

I am seriously curious what your thoughts are on this? I hope I do not sound combative at all. It is not my intention to.

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Nobody 2y ago

No I'm not a universalist. I don't believe that everyone goes to heaven. I believe that that Mat 7:13 says what a plain reading of it means. That those who die without Christ are destroyed.

I believe there is a hell, but I reject any insinuation that God (as one who let's the human image bearers that He created and deeply loves more than I could ever imagine) sends people there to suffer eternal conscious torment. I believe they might go there suffer for their sins, but are then destroyed. Fire consumes, and when it runs out of fuel (or sinfulness) then it goes out. Jude mentions Soddom and Gomorrah in reference to hell and suggests that they are an example of eternal punishment. Are they still there eternally smouldering for us to look at and say, "oh we shouldn't commit sins"? No, they're not. They are consumed for all of eternity.

d7
Nobody 2y ago

If you had of read the article or watched the Fudge video you would know what my thoughts are. I don't usually spend lots of time contemplating hell I spend time contemplating what Christ's victory means and how I should live in in community in the light of my knowledge and relationship with an awesome loving God.

I'm also not trying to be arguable. I tried to watch the video you sent I got three minutes in before he slandered the amazing character of God too much for me to continue.

d7
Nobody 2y ago

We need forgiveness from sins to have the Holy Spirit in us. We need cleansing with the blood of Jesus just as the atonement lamb cleansed the temple and made it for for God's presence once a year.

The blood of Jesus is like the passover lamb. In Exodus, the Israelites were enslaved by the Egyptians (just like we were enslaved by sin). The final curse before God freed His precious people was the nurse of death to the first born of every creature, cows sheep and men. The Israelites killed a lamb, pasted its blood on their door posts and ate it all. That night the angel of the Lord killed all firstborns except those in houses protected by the blood of the lamb. We were cursed and enslaved we needed the blood of a spotless lamb. Jesus freely gave His to free us from the slavery of sin and the curse of death so believe, repent, and be baptised. That is the gospel. Not God is angry with you and will send you to hell for eternal conscious torment if you don't believe He's so loving He needs to torture His son to let you into His presence.