Subject: How many people will go to heaven? |
Bible Note: Hi teresaa, Allow me to comment on a few points. I join Hank in support of the doctrine of perseverence of the saints. Consider the following: 1. There is simply no verse in scripture that tells us that we will "loose our salvation". None. Yet, by contrast, there are numerous verses that detail what salvation is and how it is granted.(1 Cor. 1:30,6:11, Eph. 1:7, 13, 2:8-9,etc.) As a rule, we must interpret the less clear verses of scripture by the more clear. We also need to steer clear of "proof-texting". That is, taking verses out of context to support what we believe. Context is of paramount importance. Phil. 2:12 cannot be taken nor understood without verse 13 (it's one sentence in the original Greek). 2. What is our motivation for being saved? I suppose you could choose to live in fear of a God who would cast out His chosen. Sin was either fully atoned for at the Cross or it wasn't! If all my sins aren't forgiven (past, present, and future), then Christ must go back to the cross- an obvious impossibilty. (Eph. 4:32, Col. 2:13, 3:13) I choose to allow God's grace to be my motivator to Godly living. How would you deal with Titus 2:11-12?: " For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age" You see, it is His grace that instructs me to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts- not fear of loosing my salvation. There is a significant difference. I don't think it is much of a God Who would save us to the uttermost (Heb. 7:25) only to confuse us by living in fear of it being taken back. Why do we not focus upon the great truth in Gal. 5:16 to "walk in the Spirit, so that we may not fulfill the lusts of the flesh?" In my experience, the goal of the Christian life is not to see how close to edge (I) we can live, but how close (I) we can get to the Savior. 3. There may be an element whereby we could reject His salvation, but that's not my point or focus. Eternal life is either that, or it's not! Eternal is by definition exactly that. It cannot be "temporal". Do you not suppose that it would have read in John 3:16, that He " so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have TEMPORAL life" had He meant that?. God is not the author of confusion! 4. Future judgment regarding our eternal disposition is reserved for the ungodly (unbelievers), not the believer. (Rom. 14:10-12, 2 Cor. 5:10). The believer will be judged only in regard to rewards (1 Cor. 3:12-15), NOT salvation! Choose to believe what you will, but I find great comfort in a God Who saved my by His grace and allows me to walk by faith. To Him be the glory, honor, and praise! Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |