As a Born again Christian, I believe that a true believer prays that God will make a way for all people, not because they feel sorry for them, but because they truly love them with the love that God has placed in their hearts. It is like hoping that you are wrong, but actually it is believing God at any cost, knowing in your heart that God ia the Almighty.
I was up to you until the "It is like hoping you are wrong" part.
If your faith makes you hope you are wrong, there is something wrong with it. It should make you rejoice that you are right.
I said it is "like" hoping you are wroing, not that I hope I am wrong. We can certainly hope for good in all parts of our life. We live by faith, not hope or wishes. That is why we preach Hell as it is wriotten. It is because we grow in our faith that we continue to learn more about what God has planned. We are very limited in our knowledge of the Scriptures and all that God has in store. We do have hope, and that is in Christ. Hope is all about the unseen. That is why it is about faith.
True believers believe the Scriptures, and if we understand it completely and correctly, the idea of Hell is real and eternal. I believe we can pray, and even hope that we might have it understood wrongly, not that the scriptures are wrong, just our understanding of them.
Thats the problem. Most people dont understand hell at all. Even most Christians have no clue what Eternal Punishment really consists of. I know I dont have much of a clue other than its not anything like it's commonly depicted in culture.
We would be a little arrogant if we admit we don't have a clue and then say that others are wrong.
Ive never been convinced that God wants us to preach Eternal Damnation to anyone. In fact, the scriptures indicate the exact opposite. We are supposed to preach the Good news. That death is not the end. That we can change.
Dont put faith in the scriptures. Put faith in Christ. That's what the scriptures teach. I fear there are too many people who exalt the scriptures to such a station that they miss the Savior when He stands above them. Christ criticized the Pharisees for doing that here:
It is because of the true believer's faith in Christ, that we can hold faith in the Word. Do make it legalism is sin, and that is what the Pharisees diid. Romans 8: 16 says, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto Salvation... "Faith in Christ and the Scriptures work together. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all that you do, and He will direct your paths." This is done through the Scriptures.
They were too caught up with what they thought the scriptures said that they missed the literal fulfillment in front of their eyes. I think alot of people are like that nowadays as well. I doubt the only people in the world to ever be like that are the Pharisees.
While it is very true that many in the church arew there without a true faith, you must remember that they are there for a religion. It is not about the local church, ir is all about a relationship with Christ. In a true relationship with Christ, the Word can be illuminated. Without that true relationship the scriptures are just information to most people.
As for second chances, I think ill quote Paul:
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. (1 Cor 15:19)
I think we would be foolish to limit our hope in the power of Christ to this life only. As Paul says, we would be most miserable. I think that would be because if our hope is truly thus limited, there are billions of people who will die never knowing the Plan of Happiness with no chance at Redemption. I believe God is just and merciful to all His children. Not just the ones who lived at the right time and place.
In that scripture Paul is saying that if we only have hope for this life, and it does not extend into eternity, we are miserable. Our hope is about eternity, and it includes this life as well.
Hope I have been clear enough for you to understand.
You have. I hope you haven't taken any offense to what I've said. Because none was meant. I simply disagree in a few areas.
