Sunday, February 27, 2005
Opting Out of "Opt Out Theology"
Alot of talk goes on periodically about Eternal Questions.
(or is it more about questioning eternally?)
Anywho, in the conversation several folk have stated that they believe Eternity or Heaven is an Opt Out program.
In other words, everyone is already saved, they just don't know it.
The life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ has already been applied to ALL cosmologically.
Wheather they know it or not.
But when they show up in "Heaven" or in "God's Presence" then they will have the Option (thus the OPT) to not be there, if they would really rather not. Thus everyone is in, unless they OPT OUT.
Well, 'witness' does come from the Greek word "Martyr" so here I go.
I'm opting out of OPT OUT theology, and am taking this moment to state that while it sounds good, and comes across as comforting, it is anything but biblical.
(unless you count that it quite possibly is a fulfillment of 2 Timothy 4:3 & 4:
"You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food--catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. " - the Message )
To us has been given the Ministry of Reconciliation. John 3:18 seems to make it clear that all are condemned, unless they accept / believe on HIM: Jesus the Christ.
"He who believes on 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. "
Well, how do we believe? How are we saved?
"But what does it say? "The Word is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart"; that is, the Word of Faith which we proclaim;
Because if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.
For the Scripture says, "Everyone believing on Him shall not be put to shame."
For there is no difference both of Jew and of Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call on Him.
For everyone, "whoever shall call on the name of the Lord will be saved."
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without preaching?
And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things!"
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"
Then faith is of hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:8 - 17)"
Now, while I dare to hope that All May Be Saved, it is not what has been taught from Scripture. Acts 4:12 says that their is no other name, under Heaven whereby we must be saved."
If God has an opt out plan, he's not telling.
So I'm opting out of Opt Out theology, and sticking to biblical truth.
Be encouarged:
"....preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine."
(or is it more about questioning eternally?)
Anywho, in the conversation several folk have stated that they believe Eternity or Heaven is an Opt Out program.
In other words, everyone is already saved, they just don't know it.
The life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ has already been applied to ALL cosmologically.
Wheather they know it or not.
But when they show up in "Heaven" or in "God's Presence" then they will have the Option (thus the OPT) to not be there, if they would really rather not. Thus everyone is in, unless they OPT OUT.
Well, 'witness' does come from the Greek word "Martyr" so here I go.
I'm opting out of OPT OUT theology, and am taking this moment to state that while it sounds good, and comes across as comforting, it is anything but biblical.
(unless you count that it quite possibly is a fulfillment of 2 Timothy 4:3 & 4:
"You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food--catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. " - the Message )
To us has been given the Ministry of Reconciliation. John 3:18 seems to make it clear that all are condemned, unless they accept / believe on HIM: Jesus the Christ.
"He who believes on 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. "
Well, how do we believe? How are we saved?
"But what does it say? "The Word is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart"; that is, the Word of Faith which we proclaim;
Because if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.
For the Scripture says, "Everyone believing on Him shall not be put to shame."
For there is no difference both of Jew and of Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call on Him.
For everyone, "whoever shall call on the name of the Lord will be saved."
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without preaching?
And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things!"
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"
Then faith is of hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:8 - 17)"
Now, while I dare to hope that All May Be Saved, it is not what has been taught from Scripture. Acts 4:12 says that their is no other name, under Heaven whereby we must be saved."
If God has an opt out plan, he's not telling.
So I'm opting out of Opt Out theology, and sticking to biblical truth.
Be encouarged:
"....preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine."
