Subject: "Once Saved Always Saved" |
Bible Note: Lisa: I think you misread me. The elder brother was indeed wrong to be upset, but this tale has no connection to getting to heaven by another, "non-Jesus" route, as Brian was implying. You also are absolutely right that God does not send innocent people to Hell. I agree 100 percent. The problem, however, is that no one falls into the "innocent person" category. Read Romans 3:10-18 and you get an excellent assessment by God of just how "innocent" we are. And Romans 1 also deals with the "unreachable by God's Word" scenario: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." --Romans 1:18-20 All people are without excuse. Why? Because God has revealed the truth of himself in His creation. Because of our innate sinfulness, however, we "suppress the truth" of God's righteousness. In other words, all humans have the truth of God literally all around them, but our unregenerate spirits are constantly saying, "I am not listening! I am not listening!" until God changes the disposition of their hearts. --Joe! |