Hell over Grace as a Deterrent
Posted on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 11:20 AM by Duncan Bouwer
We as Christians have become lazy. Or let me rather say it this way: I,
as a Christian, have become lazy. I have grown up on "Grace" and have
translated it to License It is too easy to say, "please forgive me"
while I am still sinning-- but note, I don't stop. I suppose rather that
than turning away from Christ because I am so ashamed. But better I
don't sin at all!
As a person who struggles with homosexuality, speaking to others who do, I need something stronger than the thought of hanging my head in God's presence one day to dissuade me from sinning, and I suspect most of us are the same. We have a sort of hazy idea how sin fits into our future because we walk around with bumper stickers like: "I am not perfect, just forgiven" in our heads which allow Jesus' sacrifice to be misused because we are not able. But 1Co 10:13 says the following: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
But just recently I have come upon another motivation not to allow myself to fall into sin. I have started reading about a stream of Christianity that is very old indeed. It holds basically that Christ died for all and so ALL are saved, whether they accept his sacrifice in this life or not. But more to the point, Hell is a sort of stopover with the punishment tailored to fit the crime, i.e. it is a finite punishment that leaves us purified.
This has implications. We will, as Christians be judged for our deeds after we die. Look at this passage: Lu. 12:41-49.
Then Peter said to Him, "Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?" And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, "My master is delaying his coming," and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. I came to send fire on the earth"
"This passage is a warning to believers. What is the threat? To be cut in two and appointed our "portion" with unbelievers. Unbelievers and unfaithful believers receive the same judgment! Why should we be shocked? Does not the judge of all the earth do right?" (Gerry Beauchemin-- author of Hope Beyond Hell)
While being so enthralled with Him for being the God who has the power and mercy to save ALL, I also am getting a view of his Just Nature and what the implications are for me if I sin. The result is that I tread very lightly. More will be required of me as somebody who knows Jesus and has been exposed to his sinless example.
Suddenly I find myself reluctant to disappoint him. And that is how it should be.
What do you think? I encourage you to read Hope Beyond Hell, (free book download) as it goes back to a stream of Christianity that is older than the notion that only some would have eternal life (comes from Augustine and is based on a misinterpretation of a word aion) It deserves attention as it has implications for what happens to homosexuals when they die. More about that in a later post!
Edited on: Thursday, April 10, 2008 11:38 AM