Universalism/Humanism--Redefining God's LoveRock of Offence CommentaryRecently, I read a news report about a pastor who posted a large sign on his building that exposed one of the largest world religions (which I won't name here) as the embodiment of "the spirit of antichrist" because it openly denied and rejected Jesus Christ (1 John 4:2-3). I agree with the pastor's statement and admire his boldness in taking an unpopular stand. In our troubled times this pastor is one of the few who have taken a position on the truth of the Gospel. He received great criticism for his comments from the "politically correct" news media. Yet, it was the objections of so-called "Christians" that concerned me the most. Some of those who objected claimed to be "religious" and attend church. What was their criticism? They claimed that God is love and accepted all people regardless of what they believed--and that his people (referring to this pastor) should not preach a message that spreads hate and division. They claimed that his sign greatly offended them and should be removed. I don't know about you, but I get angry when people who claim to represent Christ change the definition of God's love to fit a humanistic definition that calls the truth--hate and division. It's a perversion of God's character. Yet, the institutional church is full of people that believe such things. And, authentic Christians need to take heed that this philosophy (which is common) doesn't take root in their lives. God's love can be understood the best from John 3:16-18... "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (NKJV)The focus of God's love is the world's acceptance of Jesus Christ. It is clearly defined. The Bible states that God so loved the world that He gave His Son--so that we would not perish (experience eternal death)--but gain eternal life through belief (faith) in Jesus Christ. Nowhere does the Bible say, "God so loved the world that he accepted everyone regardless of what they believe". This is the common error of "Universalism"--a popular religious movement and a counterfeit front for some groups who call themselves "Christian". Some folks might believe this way--but the Bible says it's a lie and the way of death. God's love NEVER practices a universal "blind" acceptance of everyone. It's true that God accepts us "just as we are" but only within the context of coming to Jesus Christ for salvation. If you refuse to believe on Christ--God doesn't grant his acceptance and you stand condemned (rejected) according to John 3:18! I didn't write those words--God did. God's acceptance and love are two different issues. Even when folks reject Jesus Christ--God still loves them--but He doesn't accept them into His family. He can't. God's love was eternally expressed by sending Jesus to die for us. God's acceptance of us depends on our acceptance of Jesus. It is this kind of absolute truth that secular humanism and political correctness hate. Universalism (a false doctrine) merges God's love and acceptance together, creating a hideous humanistic heresy that deceives many.Authentic Christians should love the same way God loves. They should reach out to people with the gospel because of their destiny with eternal death. Christians should desire that none perish needlessly when God's free gift of salvation exists! Yet, this type of love does not demand that we accept any belief people may hold. On the contrary--it requires that we expose ungodly beliefs that ultimately send people to eternal death (as the pastor in the story above is doing). Remaining silent is like refusing to throw a drowning person a life preserver--that's hate, not love. This practice should always be tempered with diplomacy and patience. The Bible says that Christians are ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). Nowhere does the Bible condone a reckless, pushy or arrogant attitude toward anyone when presenting the gospel. An ambassador acts respectful even in the face of hostility and rejection! This means that we should be tolerant of the beliefs of others when they reject what we say--but that doesn't mean we accept what they believe as a "different truth". The big lie in religious circles is that other religions are "different" but not wrong. The lie is that there are many paths to God and that Jesus is only one path. When you claim that Jesus is the "only" path--people get real mad! The authentic Gospel message is based on absolute truth and will offend many. Everyone has a right to believe whatever he or she wants. Yet, they don't have "the right" to redefine Biblical truth that they don't like. God decides what's true and false--right and wrong. He sets the standards--not us. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is offensive by nature. Jesus is known as "the Rock of Offence" (Rom. 9:33, 1 Peter 2:7-8). God set it up that way and it upsets people. I saw an example of this on an evening news program. The topic of Jerry Falwell came up and the host was reading email comments from his audience. Mr. Falwell is a controversial pastor from the Baptist denomination and is very outspoken on subjects like society's acceptance of abortion--which he openly calls murder. The news media loves to interview him because of the emotions he stirs up. Falwell happens to believe (as I do) that Jesus Christ is the only way to God (John 14:6). One person retorted (I am paraphrasing from memory)..."if Mr. Falwell ever gets to heaven he's going to be surprised when he sees Buddhists, Hindus, Islamic and all other religions there at the gate as well." I was grieved upon hearing this. Yet, many religious folks believe that all other religions are just as true as Christianity. Maybe someone should tell God that the rules have changed. Maybe someone should inform God that He sent His Son to the cross for nothing because our more caring and sensitive society thinks that God's way (which is offered free) is too exclusive! The more I see this kind of arrogance in our culture--the more frightened I am for their eternal destiny. Some believe they are practicing "God's love" through this universalistic practice. Yet, God calls it falsehood and wickedness. When Jesus reveals Himself from heaven the world's population will be panic-stricken. I use the word "panic" to illustrate people's reaction when God's truth collides, face to face, with the world's false wisdom. His uncompromising commitment to Biblical truth is what made Jesus so unpopular with religious leaders in the Bible. It will make us equally unpopular if we practice the same way of life. Jesus requires this kind of commitment from his people. Critics will attempt to label truth-honoring Christians with names like intolerant, hateful or divisive. And, the method used many times is the redefining of God's love to fit society's way of thinking. It's a trap--DON'T FALL FOR IT! |
