Universalism

Good morning,

On Sunday I am going to briefly mention something called Universalism.  Universalism is the teaching that God will save everyone regardless of whether or not they have trusted in Jesus.  Although it has been around in some form or another for a long, long time, universalism has regained popularity in our culture today.  Chances are good that our non-believing friends are universalists even if they don’t realize it.

Universalism is an unbiblical response to the question “Why would a loving God condemn people to hell?”  The question itself is part of the problem.  It overemphasizes the love and compassion of while completely neglecting the righteousness and justice of God.  When we think of God, we must think of all His attributes that are presented to us in Scripture, not just the ones we find most pleasing.

Universalism, as much as some people would like it to be, cannot be supported by the Bible. In Matthew 25 Jesus tells 3 separate parables to describe the realities of heaven and hell and ends His discourse by saying of those who reject Him:

Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.

Matthew 25:46

Just a few verses before, Jesus describes this eternal punishment this way:

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Matthew 25:41

There just isn’t any “wiggle room” in those verses.  Nor is there in the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:91-31), the Parable of the Wheat and Tares (Matthew 13:24-30) and many other passages that talk about the reality of what happens when someone dies.  If someone does not repent of their sins and trust in Jesus as their Savior (even if they are good person, even if they help the needy, even if they go to a church), they will not be saved and have eternal life.  Jesus says in Matthew 7:23 that when He returns He will say to them:

I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers.

God is certainly full of love and mercy!  In fact, it was out of His great love and mercy that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to die on the cross for us!  But accepting Jesus as our Savior is the only way to have eternal life.  Acts 4:11-12 states this reality as clearly as possible:

Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’  Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

One final thought (although there is so much more to be said on this topic) – there are many branches of Universalism.  They don’t all believe in the same things, and many universalists reject the label altogether. 

Some universalists will say that they are Christians because they believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation.  However, they also believe that God, out of His great love, will give people endless chances to repent even after they have died.  This particular branch of universalism is creeping into our churches today under the guise of tolerance and broad-mindedness.

Other universalists believe that all religions are essentially the same and are equal in value.  There are many ways for a person to experience eternal life after death.  As long as you’re faithful in your religion and a good person, you will gain entry into heaven.

Then there are the Unitarians.  The Unitarian Universalists are a distinct religious group.  These folks don’t believe in the Trinity and believe that Jesus merely a good teacher.  They believe the Bible is just a book of poetry, mythology, and moral teaching.  Most unitarians believe that man is inherently good and can follow whatever beliefs they want and no one else has the right to say that they are wrong. Even though “Universalist” is part of their name, however, many Unitarians don’t believe that eternal life is possible.  This life is all the man gets.   

At Andrews Bridge we reject any and all forms of universalism.  We stand on the Word of God and the truth that salvation is by God’s grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone!

Here's what’s happening:

1.                TOMORROW - Youth group Movie Night from 6:30 – 9 pm at the schoolhouse.

2.               SUNDAY – Next Steps at the Bridge Luncheon and Graduation Sunday.

3.               SUNDAY – Uganda Children’s Choir at Mt. Vernon Christian Church at 6:30 pm.

4.               Sunday 6/8 – Double Nickels Luncheon

5.               The Dating Workshop that was planned for 6/8 has been postponed due to a scheduling conflict at Waterway Church.  We hope to have it later this year.

6.               6/12 – Youth Group

7.                6/12 – MCC Quilt Knotting

8.               6/14 – Witness Festival

9.               6/25 – The Missions Trip team is hosting a Chicken BBQ fundraiser at the church.  More details coming soon.  They will need some help on the day of the BBQ prepping the meals.  Please see Thomas if you are able to help.

10.            If you are interested in being baptized this summer, please let me know soon.

The church at Thessalonica had a question for Paul, the same question that just about every believer has asked at one time or another – When is Jesus coming back?  In his response Paul mentions a thief, a pregnant woman, darkness, drunkenness and living in the light!  What is going on?  On Sunday we’ll put it all together to learn more truth about thriving until Jesus arrives.

See you on Sunday,

Scott