The idea of freedom has become muddled in meaning over the years. Everyone is hailing freedom whether from oppressive governments, ideology, religion and even Jesus.
I have read an article recently about "What I Gained Losing Hell." The author, a former pastor, claimed to have gained immense freedom from hate and hypocrisy because he no longer believes that mankind, who blatantly reject and disregard the blood sacrifice of Christ, would be punished eternally.
His thoughts on punishment : In Matt. 25:46, those who are raised up to take part in an “age of punishment” are most likely being confronted with truth. They are being made perfect in love.
God punishes because he is just. If we read Mathew 25: 1-46 in context we would realize that Jesus was teaching about inheriting the kingdom and while teaching he gave warnings and these warnings are not a mere stint in a grave. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25&version=KJV. Whenever Jesus speaks of life everlasting he also spoke of the eternal damnation of the disobedient.
This former pastor now feels free from the fear that his friends that don't hold the belief is safe. http://chadholtz.net/2011/03/16/what-i-gained-losing-hell/comment-page-1/#comment-6653. additionally he thinks we cannot fully embrace grace or trust in God if we fear hell. Should we abandon fear? No! The beginning of wisdom is to fear God. We can believe in hell and still trust Christ. We can trust God with our eternal fates because He is just and gracious. Faith is trust. This freedom of trust should not depend on discarding the doctrine of Hell.
For the time 'has come' when people are not enduring sound teaching, but having itching ears they are accumulating teachers to suit their own passions, and are turning away from listening to the truth and wandering off into myths” (it's worded in present tense because it is happening as we speak).
The stage is being set with a growing apostasy in the church like never before. Seemingly, believe it or not, it's tied to punishment. No one wants to suffer for the penalty of sin; It is too cruel. Yet they reject Jesus who knew no sin whom suffered so we don't have to.
What do you think? What are your thoughts on this subject
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ReplyDeleteI think this is exactly one of the things we are warned about in the book of Jude (which I'm currenty studying). I think you are right on target!
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