Does God love all mankind and does He wish to save everyone
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My words, by themselves, can never make you understand the scriptures, in light of the way Jesus taught them. It will be up to the Holy Spirit within you to reveal it to you and I am a firm believer, from personal experience, that the Holy Spirit will not reveal it unto you until you deny yourself from believing that you can restrict God's power in thinking you can prohibit God from saving you eternally. In any angle you look at your belief, it is nothing but the pride of man. You will never give the natural man the ability to understand spiritual things until God gives him his Holy Spirit so he can discern spiritual things.
PURPOSE OF GOD
Scripture reveals many times over that God intends to save the world.
1 John 4:14 (NIV)
14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
1 Timothy 4:10(NIV)
10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
Isaiah 45:22-24(NIV)
22 “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. 23By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.
24 They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.’”
All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame.
Isaiah 49:6 (NIV)
he says:“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
It is widely believed that it is the purpose of God to invoke justice. To achieve His purpose they say He will damn all those who fail or refuse to be obedient. The vast majority of His children will be eternally damned because they did not learn, understand, teach and/or comply with His will and commandments. If it is true that God’s purpose is justice, we must first realize that justice is whatever God determines to be just. God’s justice and fairness by human standards are not the same. Fairness is equity. Justice is the accomplishment of the purpose of God.
Justice can never be had until the purpose of God, in its entirety, has been accomplished. God’s word reveals His purpose. He sent His son to be the Savior of the World because it is His purpose to save all of His children. In order to achieve justice, according to human standards, one of two possible ends must be accomplished:
With regard to human standards, only Christ himself can be saved. All other people must be damned because it was Christ alone who died on the cross. It was Christ alone who lived a life free of sin. According to man, justice is the damnation of all God’s children because all of God’s children are sinners in spite of the fact that He created us that way.
In regard to God, all people must be saved because God’s purpose for sending Christ to die was to save the world. If a single soul is lost, Jesus died unjustly because the purpose of his death on the cross will go forever unfulfilled. According to God, justice is the destruction of evil (sin) for the salvation of all men. God’ justice will be complete when every knee bends and every soul bows down at the feet of Jesus. God’s purpose will be accomplished in full once all evil has been destroyed.
Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV)
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The purpose of God is just, however justice by human standards is not the purpose of God. The purpose of God is to save the world in Jesus Christ. Believers denying scripture quoted above must reconcile them with their beliefs.
Ephesians 1:9-10
New International Version (NIV)
9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
We misunderstand passages like this one in Ephesians because we have predetermined that the unity of all things will result from the eternal damnation of all that have not already been united with Him before death.
God’s plan to accomplish His just purpose does include punishment as stated in the following passage in second Peter. However, we misinterpret this passage because we have predetermined that the punishment of the unrighteous is condemnation to eternal hell. This misunderstanding is the result of man’s zeal for justice and our acceptance by tradition that eternal torment would be the only fair thing that a righteous God could do even though it is not His desire.
2 Peter 2:9-10
New International Version (NIV)
9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the Day of Judgment. 10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority.
The same is true of every loving parent that desires good things for their children. We punish our children as is necessary but never for the purpose of revenge or for the pleasure of seeing them suffer because of their disobedience or misbehavior. The discipline of a loving parent is always for the purpose of the good of the child. For some reason throughout the centuries mankind has focussed on passages of scripture that warn us of God’s willingness to punish us. We read passages like this one in II Peter and we believe them to be about the never-ending wrath of God. We use them to threaten those who do not believe thinking that we can scare them into loving a hateful God. We even interpret this one to say that God, who is love, will punish sinners by damnation in the fires of hell forever. We punish our children because we love them and call our Father in heaven a child abuser whose mind is set on their persecution because He is just. We ignore the truth of the Gospel. God is a loving, forgiving, merciful God and father that is consistent with His purpose. God is love. His grace is sufficient. Jesus died to save the world. God proclaims His love for all men repeatedly in His Word.
For some reason, we do not seem to be able to accept the many scriptures like Ephesians 1 sited above that say God will not damn anyone forever. In fact, the words damn, damned and damnation are nowhere to be found in the New International Version of God’s Word or the Old Testament King James Version. This is because the word damnation in the New Testament King James Version was translated from three Greek words which actually mean judgement, separation and destruction.
God never threatened anyone with eternal damnation. God despises no one. The punishment of God will result in the salvation of all men.
Job 36:5(NIV)
5 “God is mighty, but despises no one;
he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.
Scripture reveals many times over that God intends to save the world.
1 John 4:14 (NIV)
14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
1 Timothy 4:10(NIV)
10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
Isaiah 45:22-24(NIV)
22 “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. 23By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.
24 They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.’”
All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame.
Isaiah 49:6 (NIV)
he says:“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
It is widely believed that it is the purpose of God to invoke justice. To achieve His purpose they say He will damn all those who fail or refuse to be obedient. The vast majority of His children will be eternally damned because they did not learn, understand, teach and/or comply with His will and commandments. If it is true that God’s purpose is justice, we must first realize that justice is whatever God determines to be just. God’s justice and fairness by human standards are not the same. Fairness is equity. Justice is the accomplishment of the purpose of God.
Justice can never be had until the purpose of God, in its entirety, has been accomplished. God’s word reveals His purpose. He sent His son to be the Savior of the World because it is His purpose to save all of His children. In order to achieve justice, according to human standards, one of two possible ends must be accomplished:
With regard to human standards, only Christ himself can be saved. All other people must be damned because it was Christ alone who died on the cross. It was Christ alone who lived a life free of sin. According to man, justice is the damnation of all God’s children because all of God’s children are sinners in spite of the fact that He created us that way.
In regard to God, all people must be saved because God’s purpose for sending Christ to die was to save the world. If a single soul is lost, Jesus died unjustly because the purpose of his death on the cross will go forever unfulfilled. According to God, justice is the destruction of evil (sin) for the salvation of all men. God’ justice will be complete when every knee bends and every soul bows down at the feet of Jesus. God’s purpose will be accomplished in full once all evil has been destroyed.
Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV)
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The purpose of God is just, however justice by human standards is not the purpose of God. The purpose of God is to save the world in Jesus Christ. Believers denying scripture quoted above must reconcile them with their beliefs.
Ephesians 1:9-10
New International Version (NIV)
9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
We misunderstand passages like this one in Ephesians because we have predetermined that the unity of all things will result from the eternal damnation of all that have not already been united with Him before death.
God’s plan to accomplish His just purpose does include punishment as stated in the following passage in second Peter. However, we misinterpret this passage because we have predetermined that the punishment of the unrighteous is condemnation to eternal hell. This misunderstanding is the result of man’s zeal for justice and our acceptance by tradition that eternal torment would be the only fair thing that a righteous God could do even though it is not His desire.
2 Peter 2:9-10
New International Version (NIV)
9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the Day of Judgment. 10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority.
The same is true of every loving parent that desires good things for their children. We punish our children as is necessary but never for the purpose of revenge or for the pleasure of seeing them suffer because of their disobedience or misbehavior. The discipline of a loving parent is always for the purpose of the good of the child. For some reason throughout the centuries mankind has focussed on passages of scripture that warn us of God’s willingness to punish us. We read passages like this one in II Peter and we believe them to be about the never-ending wrath of God. We use them to threaten those who do not believe thinking that we can scare them into loving a hateful God. We even interpret this one to say that God, who is love, will punish sinners by damnation in the fires of hell forever. We punish our children because we love them and call our Father in heaven a child abuser whose mind is set on their persecution because He is just. We ignore the truth of the Gospel. God is a loving, forgiving, merciful God and father that is consistent with His purpose. God is love. His grace is sufficient. Jesus died to save the world. God proclaims His love for all men repeatedly in His Word.
For some reason, we do not seem to be able to accept the many scriptures like Ephesians 1 sited above that say God will not damn anyone forever. In fact, the words damn, damned and damnation are nowhere to be found in the New International Version of God’s Word or the Old Testament King James Version. This is because the word damnation in the New Testament King James Version was translated from three Greek words which actually mean judgement, separation and destruction.
God never threatened anyone with eternal damnation. God despises no one. The punishment of God will result in the salvation of all men.
Job 36:5(NIV)
5 “God is mighty, but despises no one;
he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.
God does not use "spiritual things" to reveal His eternal power and Godhead. God uses the natural physical world to reveal Himself as shown in Scripture (Rom 1:18-20 being one example of God revealing Himself through nature).
The gospel of Christ is not so spiritually complex that natural man cannot grasp its meaning (or its significance).
Those who reject do so of their own volition as they suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Therefore, they are without excuse (Rom 1:18-20).
Those who do not reject do not suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Therefore, they are imputed with God's righteousness (Rom 1:16-17).
When you equate the simplicity of the gospel which everyone can understand (even a child) with those things which are spiritually discerned spoken of in 1 Cor 2:14, you infer that the gospel is so complex that it takes a spiritual PhD to even come to faith in Christ. And that is simply not true.
The gospel of Christ is not so spiritually complex that natural man cannot grasp its meaning (or its significance).
Those who reject do so of their own volition as they suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Therefore, they are without excuse (Rom 1:18-20).
Those who do not reject do not suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Therefore, they are imputed with God's righteousness (Rom 1:16-17).
When you equate the simplicity of the gospel which everyone can understand (even a child) with those things which are spiritually discerned spoken of in 1 Cor 2:14, you infer that the gospel is so complex that it takes a spiritual PhD to even come to faith in Christ. And that is simply not true.
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Actually, you are right. I did finally wake up one day and realize how ridiculous some of the teachings of my fundamentalist Christian tradition were. By the way, I wake up every day, it was the day that I finally chose to open my eyes to His truth that I found the peace that passes understanding.
Philippians 2:9-11 New International Version (NIV)
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
1 John 4:14 New International Version (NIV)
14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
1 John 4:14 New International Version (NIV)
14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
1 Timothy 4:10 New International Version (NIV)
10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
Colossians 1:19-20 New International Version (NIV)
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcileto himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Isaiah 57:16-19 New International Version (NIV)
16 I will not accuse them forever,
nor will I always be angry,
for then they would faint away because of me—
the very people I have created.
17 I was enraged by their sinful greed;
I punished them, and hid my face in anger,
yet they kept on in their willful ways.
18 I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;
I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,
19 creating praise on their lips.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 New International Version (NIV)
12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
1 Corinthians 15:22
New International Version (NIV)
22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
Philippians 2:9-11 New International Version (NIV)
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
1 John 4:14 New International Version (NIV)
14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
1 John 4:14 New International Version (NIV)
14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
1 Timothy 4:10 New International Version (NIV)
10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
Colossians 1:19-20 New International Version (NIV)
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcileto himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Isaiah 57:16-19 New International Version (NIV)
16 I will not accuse them forever,
nor will I always be angry,
for then they would faint away because of me—
the very people I have created.
17 I was enraged by their sinful greed;
I punished them, and hid my face in anger,
yet they kept on in their willful ways.
18 I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;
I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,
19 creating praise on their lips.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 New International Version (NIV)
12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
1 Corinthians 15:22
New International Version (NIV)
22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
Of course there will be those who argue that the scriptures I have quoted do not mean what they say, so I have one more verse I would like to share.
Dealing With False Teachers
14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
Dealing With False Teachers
14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
yes, they are saved. Death is not the end of a souls opportunity to be saved
1Pe 4:6
For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
They were taught.
Isa 54:13
And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
1Pe 4:6
For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
They were taught.
And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
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You know what it means.
What God is saying in 1 Cor 2:14 is that the carnal Christian -- those described in chapters 1 and 3 as having left off following the Lord Jesus Christ and instead they follow men (1 Cor 1:11-12, 1 Cor 3:3-4) -- are unable to understand the spiritual matters Paul was able to teach to those who were more mature in Christ.
Paul said howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect (1 Cor 2:6). The word "perfect" does not mean "perfect" as in never sin, but "perfect" as in more mature ... further along in their growth in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul taught those who were carnal and who were yet babes in Christ, but he could only go so far as Jesus Chris, and Him crucified (1 Cor 2:2). Paul says that he could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able (1 Cor 3:1-2).
Paul teaches that those who are carnal and who leave off following the Lord Jesus Christ that they are unable to understand spiritual matters.
What God is saying in 1 Cor 2:14 is that the carnal Christian -- those described in chapters 1 and 3 as having left off following the Lord Jesus Christ and instead they follow men (1 Cor 1:11-12, 1 Cor 3:3-4) -- are unable to understand the spiritual matters Paul was able to teach to those who were more mature in Christ.
Paul said howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect (1 Cor 2:6). The word "perfect" does not mean "perfect" as in never sin, but "perfect" as in more mature ... further along in their growth in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul taught those who were carnal and who were yet babes in Christ, but he could only go so far as Jesus Chris, and Him crucified (1 Cor 2:2). Paul says that he could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able (1 Cor 3:1-2).
Paul teaches that those who are carnal and who leave off following the Lord Jesus Christ that they are unable to understand spiritual matters.
Don't misconstrue what God is telling us in 1 Cor 2:14 with what God tells us in Rom 1. To do so leads to much error and confusion.
God does not say in Romans 1 that those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness do so because His eternal power and Godhead cannot be understood by natural man. God tells us that when His eternal power and Godhead is revealed through nature, those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened (Rom 1:21).
The same thing goes on today. Instead of looking at creation and giving glory to God for His awesome and magnificent eternal power and Godhead, they sweep God under the carpet and try to explain how the universe and all that is therein evolved and continues to evolve. They are fools. You know this. I know this.
But just because those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness are fools does not mean that the natural man who does not suppress the truth in unrighteousness is not able to see God's eternal power and Godhead in God's creation.
God does not say in Romans 1 that those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness do so because His eternal power and Godhead cannot be understood by natural man. God tells us that when His eternal power and Godhead is revealed through nature, those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened (Rom 1:21).
The same thing goes on today. Instead of looking at creation and giving glory to God for His awesome and magnificent eternal power and Godhead, they sweep God under the carpet and try to explain how the universe and all that is therein evolved and continues to evolve. They are fools. You know this. I know this.
But just because those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness are fools does not mean that the natural man who does not suppress the truth in unrighteousness is not able to see God's eternal power and Godhead in God's creation.
Paul is addressing this letter to, the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus. These are , members of the church at Corinth who Paul has taught the milk of the word, but are lacking in knowledge, same as the brethren in Romans 10 that Paul was talking to. All the scriptures you have referenced are God's children that have been born of the Spirit and can discern spiritual things. In 1 Cor 3:9, Talking to those who only have the milk of the word, For we are labourers together with God; ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. These people can be taught the meat of the word by Paul, but Paul could not teach the natural man even the milk of the word, because "NEITHER CAN HE KNOW THEM".
Agreed.
In other places, it says,
"Now also for this very reason, having brought in all earnestness, supplement into your faith virtue, and into virtue knowledge [G1108 - gnōsin ], ..." 2Pet1:5blb
https://biblehub.com/text/2_peter/1-5.htm
G1108 [noun] - gnōsin... related to the word found in 1Cor2:14
G1097 [verb] - gnōnai
... and the context is indeed the people in 1Cor3:1, people who are saved but have not moved on to maturity (with the ability to understand the spiritual things Paul is referring to in chpt 2). And I agree that this is a wholly distinct context from that of Romans 1, which IS referring to unbelievers/unsaved persons.
So you are saying that what we see in the natural, physical realm is the same as the spiritual aspect of the milk of the Word?
Again, the natural, physical realm points to the eternal power and Godhead of the Creator. Natural man either suppresses the truth in unrighteousness and rejects God or does not reject the truth in unrighteousness and begins his or her baby-steps in the walk of faith.
If/when natural man suppresses the truth in unrighteousness, he/she becomes foolish, unthankful, vain in imaginations, foolish heart becomes darkened, they turn to idolatry and worship creation more than the Creator.
If/when natural man does not suppress the truth in unrighteousness, he/she starts to seek this God of creation. Not because he or she is now "spiritual" but because the creation proclaims the Creator. That which is invisible is glimpsed by that which is visible. It's not full, spiritual knowledge, but it is enough to pique the interest of the natural man so that he or she starts searching.
And God tells us He will be found if we search for Him with our whole heart.
You are saying it's impossible for the natural man to glean from nature that the Creator exists because you misinterpret 2 Cor 2:14 and claim that the "milk of the Word" which the carnal Christian can understand is the same as the natural, physical realm pointing to the existence of the Creator in Rom 1:19-20. This is not rightly dividing God's Word.
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Maybe I did not make myself clear, but the natural man cannot see or understand "the milk of the word" because the milk of the word is spiritual, only those with the indwelling Spirit can understand spiritual things. Romans 19:21, If you read verse 21, you will see that "they knew God". The natural man, according to 1 Cor 2:14, cannot know God, because he is a Spirit, and we must worship him in spirit and in truth and the natural man is just not able to do that. I do understand that the only way you can allow yourself to have a part in your eternal salvation and not depend upon a sovereign God is to give the natural man the ability to discern spiritual things and that just will not harmonize with other scriptures.