In a previous post, I wrote about the danger of believing or holding onto a different gospel. While there may be many ways to distort the gospel, I believe that every distortion stems from two main ideas. The first of these ideas will be my focus in this post.
One of the main distortions of the gospel is based on the idea that God’s love and grace is so great that everyone, regardless of their relationship with Him, will be saved. It is probably best known through the concept of Universalism. The main argument of this “gospel” is that a good and loving God would never condemn people to eternal torment in hell. Therefore, it is concluded that, in the end, everyone will receive eternal life in Heaven. Some suggest that this reconciliation will only occur after a certain cleansing period in hell. Others say that people will have the opportunity to choose God after death (of course, this leaves the choice to the person who could still turn it down).
Biblical Support?
One could easily see how this would be attractive. I would imagine that most God-fearing Christians would love for everyone to be ultimately reconciled to God. Even early Christian leaders are quoted as embracing this concept, hoping for a great reconciliation of God with His creation.
It doesn’t hurt that there are also some texts that appear to support this view. 1 Corinthians 15:22 says, “As all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ.” Even stronger is the passage in Lamentations 3:31–33 which states, “For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.” 1 Timothy 4:10 and Colossians 1:17–20 are also texts used in support. Nevertheless, while these passages (and a few others like them) may seem to imply a universal reconciliation, they neglect many other passages that talk about God’s judgment and justice.
Its Danger and True Source
The advocates of this concept claim that the idea of a punishment of sin only reveals the inability of God to save. Thus, in their eyes, if God is truly able to save everyone, He has to save everyone. Herein lies the danger of this “gospel.” While it embraces God’s amazing mercy and grace, it ignores His (also amazing) justice and holiness. In addition, with this view, God’s statements about the severity and ultimate consequence of sin can only be viewed as empty threats—not anything that will actually be carried out. Yet, if sin is not bad enough for actual consequences, why is God’s grace necessary? This attempt to force God’s grace on everyone (especially those who do not desire it), undermines the principle of His grace for everyone. With this idea, sin is trivialized and God’s grace is diluted.
Of course, this isn’t a new concept. We can see the beginning of this distortion back in the Garden of Eden. As the serpent successfully sowed seeds of doubt into Eve’s mind, he offered one of the greatest lies still believed by mankind: “you shall not surely die” (Genesis 3:4). Much like what this “gospel” suggests, Satan claimed that God was overly exaggerating the results of sin. Did God make too much of sin to Adam and Eve? Has He changed His minds since?
The Truth About Sin
No, God hasn’t changed His mind. His proclamation against sin remains constant throughout scriptures. Not once does God lessen the severity or result of sin. In fact, scripture is consistent that the consequence of sin is real. We are told in Ezekiel 18:19, 20 that the soul who sins will die. Not eventually be reconciled. Die. Because “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Not just death on this earth either: “Those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus, they will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might” (2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9). Jesus reiterates this idea in the illustration of the wide and narrow gates (see Matthew 7:13, 14 and Luke 13:23, 24), mentioning two results in the end: life and destruction. He also said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them” (John 3:36). This is the Biblical truth: death is the result of sin.
The Truth About Choice
Since sin is a broken relationship with God, then those who choose to remain in a broken relationship will not receive eternal life. Of course, this is why this distortion is not the gospel: If you don’t love God, why would you want to spend eternity with Him anyway? The true Gospel does not diminish the problem of sin, but reveals how God’s grace allows us to be rescued from sin and be brought back into a personal relationship with Him.
You see, this is why grace is necessary. Grace is undeserved favor. God is giving us something we do not deserve: another chance. But the final choice is on us. We have the freedom to say no. A powerful warning about this choice is found in Ezekiel 33:11–16. I encourage you to read it. It shows the truth about God’s grace and our relationship with Him. Yes, sin has separated us from God, but He is doing everything He can to woo us back to Him. The Good News is that grace gives us the opportunity to say yes.