Carlton Pearson
I watched 20/20 tonight on the topic of Hell, and I thought Carlton Pearson did a good job in the amount of time he was given.
I realize the one of the biggest obsticles for people believing that God actually loves every person is this strong desire to see what we describe as an evil person getting his just punishment. The problem with that thinking is the same bible that condemns the murderer also condemns the gossip, and according to the bible there is not even one human being who is without sin except Christ.
Jesus Christ is the only human being who truly has the right to judge us because he lived a perfect life, and yet he clearly chose not to.
"As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.
I also believe that every choice we make has consequences and even when it looks like we have escaped the punishment that others think we should have the consequences are still there. The difference is they are consequences that a Loving Father has designed and the purpose is always for our good, and not for evil.
I can still remember things I did 40 years ago that I am not proud of. Have I been forgiven? Yes, but my loving Father in his full wisdom has allowed me to remember for my good, not to punish me.
Someone who committs murder and is not caught may not suffer the punishment of a human court but that person must still live with their actions every day of their lives. I trust in a loving Father who knows what he is doing and is able to teach every person exactly what they need to know in this life. They might not even know they are being taught, but they will still learn what they need to learn.
To send someone, anyone to HELL is to say God failed and gave up, or was not capable of accomplishing his desire for all mankind. I am sure that in this human form I will never understand some of the horrindous choices that some humans make, but my lack of understanding does not make God a failure. Even when our hearts condemn us, God is greater then our hearts.
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TOPIC: HELL
Peace
Geo
Why is it that preachers tell me that I have been made “new” in Christ, then proceed to tell me how terrible I am, and how I have to change to be found acceptable?
That crap just doesn’t add up…
Dang, I missed it. I was working afternoon shift and forgot to set my VCR.
George i took up your question my friend i hope it helps others.
kenneth
Bruce, to reply to your question…they use this double speak because it is the only way that they can keep you coming back to their churches, groveling at their alters (didn’t Christ put an end to the need for alters and the sacrifices that had to be made on them?) and constantly coming to them for the council to do the changing they demand. It is their greatest tool of manipulation….requiring us to keep changing.
The revival they say we need is always because we never measure up. It is no wonder that so many just give up, resign themselves as hopeless sinners and forsake the hope that they first had when Christ revealed His great love to them.
Christ came to die in our place so that our image as sons of God can be renewed. The whole creation is waiting for us to get it. But the preachers of the need to constantly change our working more against our realization as being sons than for it….which begs the question….who is really motivated by antichrist???
I thought it was a great program. Imagine, the gospel of grace on national TV!! I thought the best part was the comment by the male member of his congregation. The opening was especially telling. There the narrator stood. In HELL (gehenna), outside Jerusalem, explaining the error in translation. I hope a great multitude of people who suffer the fear of Hell were watching and had their curiosity peaked at this. May God give them the courage to begin to search for TRUTH….