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CLICK HERE: THAT’S MY KING BY S.M. Lockridge
“That’s My King”Continue reading

Let me introduce Michelle Amirault whom I am privileged to know. Her faith in our awesome and amazing God is a great inspiration to me along with her husband’s Gary. Michelle and Gary lost their son Scott in 2010 whom some would have told them was not “saved.” Gary writes, “the grief of losing a son at only 35 cut much deeper than I ever would have imagined—even knowing he is in a better place. I cannot begin to imagine what our grief would be like if we believed Scott was being tormented forever in some hell because he failed God. It would be unbearable.” Read Gary’s journey story on page 255 of “Hope Beyond Hell.” They have a website (tentmaker.org) which has an exhaustive library of references supporting “The Victorious Gospel.”

Yes dear friends, Michelle is right; the Scriptures do line up with her awesome statements about God. I would like to share a few of those passages with you. CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE: A LOVING FATHER SHARES WORDS OF HOPE IN SPITE OF LOSING HIS DEAR SON.

A story of Hope in the midst of despair…
“Comfort in Grief”Continue reading

Savior of the World by GenMata

What does “especially of those who believe” mean?

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. These things command and teach.” (1Ti. 4:9-11)

This must be a very important passage to warrant such a powerful introduction and closing. Paul exhorts us to view these faithful words as worthy of all acceptance, and tells us to command and teach these truths. Understand the importance of this critical passage. If God is the Savior exclusively of those who believe during their earthly existence, as our tradition teaches, then this passage is clearly in error. The difference between “exclusively” and “especially” is paramount. To interchange these concepts is to contradict Scripture.

What does “especially of those who believe” mean? The immediate context sheds much light: “Set the believers an example….practice these duties….so that all may see your progress. Take heed to yourself and teaching; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1Ti. 4:12-16 RSV).

Is this salvation by works? No, it is “working out” salvation (Ph. 2:12). God’s purpose in salvation is not to save us in our sins (Mt. 1:21), but from them. Christ saves us from our sinful nature and transforms us into His image (Ga. 4:19) so we may shine as lights in the world (Mt. 5:13-16). Thus, believers are “especially” saved because they have been justified by faith, and are presently working out their salvation as God empowers them (Ph. 2:13). Their salvation is being perfected (made complete) for all to see (1Ti. 4:15-16).

None of this changes the fact that God is still the Savior of those who do not yet believe. Once His righteous, just, and purpose-driven judgments have run their course, death will be destroyed, all will be made alive, and all will be subjected to Christ. Then God will be all in all (1Co. 15:22-28). He is, in an ultimate sense, the Savior of all men, (unbelievers and believers) but especially, at present, of believers.

The Greek word “especially,” is malista. Could it also mean “exclusively”? The only way to know is to observe how it is used in Scripture. This is a good example of how useful The Word Study Concordance can be. Malista occurs twelve times. As you read these references, try substituting the word “exclusively” and see how it fits.

¨      They…fell on Paul’s neck sorrowing most of all [malista] for the words which he spoke (Ac. 20:38).

¨      I have brought him out before you all and especially [malista] before you King Agrippa (Ac. 25:26).

¨      Agrippa…especially [malista] because you are an expert (Ac. 26:2-3).

¨      Let us do good to all, especially [malista] to those who are of the household of faith (Ga. 6:9-10).

¨      All the saints greet you, but especially [malista] those who are of Caesar’s household (Ph. 4:20-23).

¨      If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially [malista] for those of his household, he has denied the faith… (1Ti. 5:3-8).

¨      Elders be counted worthy of double honor, especially [malista] those who labor in the word and doctrine (1Ti. 5:16-18).

¨      Bring the cloak…and the books, especially [malista] the parchments (2Ti. 4:13).

¨      There are many…deceivers, especially [malista] those of the circumcision… (Tit. 1:10-11).

¨      But more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially [malista] to me but how much more to you (Phil. 16).

¨      Reserve…for the day of judgment, and especially [malista] those who walk according to the flesh (2Pe. 2:9-11).

Can we substitute the idea of “exclusively” for “especially” in any of these malista passages? No! Nor do we have grammatical or contextual grounds to do so in 1Ti. 4:10. Compare this passage with Ga. 6:10: “…let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. ”Can we neglect doing good to unbelievers? Of course not! Neither can we deny that God is the savior of all men. But to the contrary, we are commanded to teach this very thing!

Referenced from: “Hope Beyond Hell” pages 112-114.

Love Has Come by Mark Schultz“Love Has Come”Continue reading

If we, as the corporate body of Christ, would carefully observe the words we sing in our worship of God, we would quickly see the message the Holy Spirit is speaking through us. Are we not the living body of Christ? The words we express in worship repeatedly attest to the Victorious Gospel! Where is the threat of an eternal hell in these words? Are they not filled with hope, comfort, and peace? Do they not impart life?

All Of Creation by Mercy Me

LYRICS:
Separated until the veil was torn the moment that hope was born and guilt was pardoned once and for all. Captivated but no longer bound by chains left at an empty grave the sinner and the sacred resolved.
And all of creation sing with me now,lift up your voice and lay your burden down. And all of creation sing with me now,fill up the heavens let his glory resound.
Time has faded and we see him face to face every doubt erased forever we will worship the king. [repeat chorus]
The reason we breathe is to sing of his glory and for all he has done praise the father praise the son and the spirit in one. [repeat chorus 2x]
And every knee will bow oh and every tongue praise the father praise the son and the spirit in one.
“All Of Creation” written by Mercy me. Album out May, 2010

Paid in Full (Listen or Read)

Paid in Full

One of the last things Christ said while hanging on the cross was, “Father, forgive them” (Lu. 23:34). Did God not answer His prayer? In John’s gospel, His last recorded words were, “It is finished” (Jn. 19:30), which The Bible Knowledge Commentary says means, “paid in full.”⁹ What is the significance of this? Consider the commentary John provides on Christ’s redemption. What better commentary could we have than the author? He says, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29)! He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1Jn. 2:2).The sins of the whole world have been paid in full! I would not dare place any limitations on the power of the blood of Christ to save all for whom it was shed—the world. Perhaps no passages are more precious and essential than these. I entreat you to prayerfully meditate on each one.

¨      Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29)! The world!

¨      It is finished (Jn. 19:30). Paid in full!

¨      He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world (1Jn. 2:2). The world!

¨      The LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Is. 53:6). Everyone!

¨      My flesh…I…give for the life of the world (Jn. 6:51). The world!

¨      Christ died for the ungodly (Ro. 5:6). That includes everyone!

¨      When we were enemies we were reconciled…through [His] death (Ro. 5:10). If you and I, why not all?

¨      Justification…to all men (Ro. 5:18 NAS). All men!

¨      If One died for all, then all died (2Co. 5:14). His death affects all!

¨      For it pleased the Father…by Him to reconcile all things to Himself…through the blood of His cross (Col. 1:19-20). All!

¨      He…tasted death for everyone (He. 2:9). Everyone!

¨      Christ…suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust (1Pe. 3:18). Everyone!

¨      He gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time (1Ti. 2:6). Everyone!

Christ gave Himself a ransom for all (1Ti. 2:6) and not merely some. He propitiated not only our sins, but also those of the whole world! (1Jn. 2:2). That includes the ungodly (Ro. 5:6), the unjust (1Pe. 3:18), and even His enemies (Ro. 5:8). In fact everyone (He. 2:9). The ransom for their sins has been paid in “full” (Jn. 19:30). Thus all are reconciled through His blood (Col.1:20). I accept these passages as they read. Moreover, because I do, I am confident that God will reveal Himself to all men in His ordered (due) time (1Ti. 2:6).

What “Paid in Full” Implies

Christ did not suffer in vain for anyone. Sooner or later, all will come to faith and obedience. All are washed in the blood. “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw [drag] all men to myself” (Jn. 12:32 RSV). See “Drags All” chapter 6.

Why is “all coming to faith” so hard to believe in light of what Scripture teaches about Christ’s death and God’s power? Just think of your own faith and obedience. You were blessed enough to experience it in this age, perhaps in your youth or later in life. In either case, it happened. To whom do you give credit for your faith and obedience? Do you credit yourself for being lucky enough to have been at the right place at the right time? Or wise enough to have seen the opportunity and seized it (Lu. 10:21; 1Co. 1:26-31)? Or righteous enough to carry your cross and remain faithful to the end? If you do not credit yourself, then you must credit another—Christ and His “paid in full” redemption. So then, I will assume you do not credit yourself but Christ for your salvation.

Do you believe you are saved while most of the human race is going to hell forever? If so, think carefully what this means. It means God has arbitrarily selected you over others; or that He finds you more worthy than others; or both. But this denies that Christ has “paid in full” sin’s debt. It denies that God is impartial and fair with every person on earth (page 56). It denies that Christ accomplished His mission (Jn. 17:4, 12:47). It means the Father’s will and purpose to save all is forever denied. It means His love is not without end (1Co. 13:8). Do you see the contradiction in all this? This is very serious. But I have good news for you. There is a Biblical solution to your dilemma. That solution is understanding God’s purposes in election. That will be discussed in the next chapter.

¨¨¨¨¨

In this chapter we saw that the burden of our Lord’s heart was for the whole world and that our oneness is essential to our witness.

Education, wisdom, and status are not the prerequisites for spiritual revelation; we must be as babes before Him. We are called to judge for ourselves what is right and to face the question of questions. “How can a good God create people He knows will be tormented forever?” The two major Christian theologies were contrasted with each other. Each magnifies a key attribute of God – His love or His power. The Blessed Hope was shown to glorify God in both of these attributes. Could this be the key to Christian unity and world witness? Veiled from the traditional paradigms is the salvation of all and the integration of both pardon and chastisement. The wondrous scope of salvation was traced to God’s promise to Abraham, confirmed by Peter and Paul, and ultimately by Christ on the cross, as the sins of the whole world were “paid in full.”

We start with Christ facing the cross with the world on His heart, and close with His very last words while suspended between heaven and earth: “Father, forgive them.…It is finished.” Such forgiveness confirms the Blessed Hope. In the next chapter, we will address several themes essential to a fuller appreciation of this hope.

References: See Bibliography page.

Scope of the Gospel (Listen or Read)

Scope of the Gospel

Scripture, foreseeing God would justify the Gentiles by faith,
preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying,
‘In you all the nations shall be blessed’.

(Ga. 3:8)

The Gospel is defined in eight simple words! “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” These words are the very Gospel Paul preached—justification by faith. This Gospel was first revealed to Abraham and is repeated five times in Genesis! (Ge. 12:3; 18:18; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14). God did not want us to miss it. Notice it does not say “some” nations, but “all.” The important question in all this is: Does the term “nations” include every person? Peter makes it clear:

In your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities. (Ac.3:25-26)

According to Peter, the blessing of all nations includes all the “families” of the earth. But he does not stop there. He goes on specifying that the blessing includes every member of the family. Notice his words, “every one of you.” For years as a missionary, I have heard and read that God was merely interested in a token representative from every nation, tribe, and tongue. That has always troubled and perplexed me. As I look at Scripture more closely, I see a totally different picture of God. Let’s look at this passage again:

In your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities. (Ac. 3:25-26).

Acts 3:25-26 establishes four critical points.

¨      The Gospel comes to the elect first (not exclusively), and in “due time” it will bless every one of your family members, regardless of what you think their present spiritual state is.

¨      What is the blessing? It is turning away from sin.

¨      It is the same gospel Paul preached—justification by faith. This is established in Galatians 3:8 via God’s promise to Abraham (Ge. 12:3) and repeated here (Ac. 3:25).

¨      It confirms that justification by faith, as marvelous as it is, is not an end in itself; it is the prerequisite to turning from sin, the “working out” of our salvation.

Think about the term “family.” What does it mean to be a member of a family? It means one is part of a cohesive whole. If one is hurting, all are hurting. It can be accurately compared to the Body of Christ. We are “members individually,” and the members should have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all the members suffer with him or her (see 1Co. 12:25-27). Now ponder this: How can these “blessed ones” spoken of by Peter in the above passage—all individual members of families—experience the “great joy” of the Gospel (Lu. 2:10; Ro. 10:15) if they are vexed and tormented over the destiny of any of their lost family members? Could you “greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible” (1Pe. 1:8 NAS), knowing that your son, daughter, dad, mom, wife, or husband are suffering in an eternal hell?

If we do not provide, love, and care for our own household, we have denied the faith and are worse than unbelievers (1Ti. 5:8). We must love our family members and neighbors “as” ourselves (Ro. 13:8-9). If we so loved in truth, we could not have peace and joy unless we knew all our loved ones were eternally safe. This simple truth alone confirms the unlimited scope of the Good News.

References: See Bibliography page.