whyUniversalism is an evil concept

[pcamps]

I cannot accept that God is a failure(which is how fundamentalists unwittingly portray him) and i cannot accept that God cannot convince us of himself and give us the aha moment.

[Jerwade]

Originally Posted by jimmiej

Not sure what a “fair degree of universalism” means, but all Christians should understand and work toward this:

1 Tim. 2

3 This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

It's an active, ongoing result of a previous action:

And in the ongoing result of that action; desires (wants, wills) ALL men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. The action is indicative. Nowhere is it subjunctive, or that of being contingent or probable, nor imperative on the subject’s response. Neither is it Optative, as in being unlikely or wishful thinking that mankind might come to this salvation and knowledge.

[ClementofA]

Originally Posted by Rose2Luv

Warden: That my friend is a class post! Thank you for taking the time to share it with us.

I have found 4 passages of Scripture that define the essence of our Creator and Lord.

"God is love." 1 John 4.3

"God is light." 1 John 1.5

"God is Spirit." John 4.24

"God is fire." Hebr. 12.29

All aspects of His Person flow from His Essence.

Originally Posted by twin.spin

Here's 4 more aspects of his Person that define the essence:

"God is jealous" Nahum 1:2

"God is angry" Psalm 7:11

"God is just" 2 Thessalonians 1:6

"God is faithful" 1 Corinthians 1:9

He is "jealous" that you don't love other gods more than Him. This would harm others & yourself. So His jealousy is all about what's best for humanity. IOW it demonstrates His motive of love in everything He does.

Likewise His anger & wrath against sinners is always for their own good, that they be corrected & saved. Call it tough love.

He is just. He doesn't punish sinners infinitely for finite sins. That would be unjust, insane & sadistic. The exact opposite of love.

He is faithful to Himself, which is love. He cannot deny Himself or His word.


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Scripture says 3 things remain, faith hope & love & the greatest of these is love (1 Cor.13:13)

1 Pet.4:8 Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Col.3:13 Bear with each other and forgive any complaint you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.


The greatest 2 commandments are all about love.

One word, love, sums up all the commandments.

Love sums up in one word the meaning of our existence & all created beings' endless future destiny.

[Rose2Luv]

Originally Posted by jimmiej

Not sure what a “fair degree of universalism” means, but all Christians should understand and work toward this:

1 Tim. 2

3 This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

Today my friend, we will look at the word "thelo". Abba most certainly has a "desire" for all mankind to be saved; and not only saved "reconciled" back into His loving arms.

However

Thelo does not mean simply "desires", oh my no! He willeth/wills all mankind to be saved. I am of the strong belief that the Will of all wills prevails!

https://www.biblestudytools.com/1-ti...4-compare.html

1 Timothy 2:4 (YLT) who doth will all men to be saved, and to come to the full knowledge of the truth;

Jonathan Mitchell N.T. Translation

http://www.greater-emmanuel.org/jmt/

4. Who is constantly willing (continuously intending) all mankind (all men) to be saved (delivered; rescued; made healthy and whole), and (even) to come into a full, accurate, experiential and intimate knowledge of Truth (or: into a realization of [the] Truth),

5. for God [is] One, and One [is the] Mediator of God and mankind, a Man, Christ Jesus (or: for [there is] one God, and one medium between God and men. [the] human, Christ Jesus),

6. the One giving Himself a correspondent ransom (a ransom in the place of and directed toward the situation) over (for) all (everyone; as a masc.: all men; as a nuet: all things) - the witness (testimony; omitted by A) [will come] in its own fitting situations

[Rose2Luv]

Originally Posted by ClementofA

He is "jealous" that you don't love other gods more than Him. This would harm others & yourself. So His jealousy is all about what's best for humanity. IOW it demonstrates His motive of love in everything He does.

Likewise His anger & wrath against sinners is always for their own good, that they be corrected & saved. Call it tough love.

He is just. He doesn't punish sinners infinitely for finite sins. That would be unjust, insane & sadistic. The exact opposite of love.

He is faithful to Himself, which is love. He cannot deny Himself or His word.


---


Scripture says 3 things remain, faith hope & love & the greatest of these is love (1 Cor.13:13)

1 Pet.4:8 Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Col.3:13 Bear with each other and forgive any complaint you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.


The greatest 2 commandments are all about love.

One word, love, sums up all the commandments.

Love sums up in one word the meaning of our existence & all created beings' endless future destiny.