The Challenge

“What you don’t have is any way of explaining how an all-forgiving God could possibly punish humans for eternity for being ignorant.”

My Response

That is true, and something one has to accept on faith … As Biblical Christians, we must be able to trust in the Lord that we will understand many challenging points of theology once we are with Him face-to-face.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. - 1 Corinthians 13:12

Many theologians would offer a lengthy and convoluted defense of our position regarding how few are born-again believers at the point of death. I prefer to accept that His ways are above our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), rather than doing Scriptural gymnastics*. To believe in some twisted form of universalism or salvation through general revelation, is to:

(1) Reject the inerrant truth of God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16, John 17:17).

(2) Ignore the fact that we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8).

(3) Reject an acknowledgement of Jesus as Savior and Lord as the only solution to our sin (Acts 4:12, John 14:6).

(4) And finally, to face the fact that many will never hear the name Jesus in their lifetime.

As frustrating as it may be, the answer to this profound conundrum on why a loving God allows so many to go to Hell and so few to be with Him in Heaven is a faith-based decision … a matter of:

(1) Faith,

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. - Hebrews 11:6

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. - Hebrews 11:1

(2) Hope,

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. - Romans 15:13

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. - Romans 12:12

(3) Love,

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. - 1 John 4:8

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

(4) and Trust.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. - Proverbs 3:5

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. - Psalm 118:8

*This link is a good example for those wishing to read a typical Christian response on why so many follow the broad road to Hell rather than the narrow path to Heaven (Matthew 7:13-14). I recognize my atypical response is unsatisfying, and yet submissive to Scripture.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words

Please Comment – here or on Medium