The major problem I have with this, is how some people can take a scripture here and there and conform it to their own happy feelings.
The same could be said for self righteous motives. And what you call "happy feelings" I call common sense about a loving relationship.
He died for all who would accept him, not for all period
Hold on a second.....I never said that salvation was Universal. I do not believe that everyone goes to Heaven. That doesn't make any sense. I'm just saying that salvation is broader than what a lot of Christians are trying to make it. dorcas3000 has already provided some good passages. Here's another.....
Romans 5:18-19 "18Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 19For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous."
John 3:16 plainly says "...whoever believes in him will not perish.." So simple logic says that whoever doesn't believe in him will perish.
I love double standards. You guys condemn people for their conflicting beliefs through use of simple logic such as the fundementals of love. But when your own beliefs conflict with other parts of the Bible, simple logic is permissable? ....... That passage you picked was correct. Everyone who believes in Jesus will have eternal life(even that is debatable), everyone else faces judgment. But Judgement doesn't mean automatic Hell like you guys are saying it is. It means that there's a risk. You're playing judge. You're condemning people who don't think and believe exactly like you do and that is wrong. The fact is, most of the world DOESN"T think like you guys. You guys put yourself on a pedestool and condemn everyone with conflicting beliefs. That was not the point of Jesus. Jesus was not sent here to condemn the world.
16"
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." As you pointed out Jesus did not say those who don't believe in him will not have eternal life. To assume such a thing is ignorant. If I want to make something clear to people I tell them. If I don't say something, it's pretty self explanitory. "
"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
Now this could help your argument. He gives the verdict of those condemned.
"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."
Those who love evil more than God and do not repent are the ones condemned. The thing is, Muslims and Jews recognize their evils and repent as well and they deny Jesus as God. So to say that this defines everyone who doesn't believe in Jesus is to say that people who don't believe in him are people who are unrepentent of their sins and choose to live in them rather than live for God. the problem is, Muslims and Jews DO REPENT of their sins, do live for God and are always doing things to try and make themselves better people. Perhaps one can live in Christ and yet not believe in him.
Your interpretation weakens the power in the blood of Jesus
No it doesn't. It weakens the power of religious dogma. It just shows that you're not always right and could be wrong and that there are flaws in your argument. It also shows your lack of humbleness to admidt that there is a chance you could be wrong, judging by your response.
weakens the power in the blood of Jesus if you accept that it is uneeded to see his kingdom
I never said Jesus' blood wasn't needed. Stop putting words in my mouth.
Satan will use every means possible to decieve God's people.
You are not exempt from this.
I'm well aware of what the Devil is capable of. Debating means discussing different opinions. This is a debate forum not a preaching forum. Preaching is not an rebuttal or argument and it is not helping you look any less prideful. Leave it at the door and stick to debating with evidence and facts. If you're going to continue proove yourself right by preaching, perhaps you should not be partaking in this disscusion.
