Let's imagine, for a moment, that what I am about to say is true.
It is impossible to offend God. Although right and wrong remain, God has decided that Jesus' efforts on the cross were sufficient to cover all sin and thus, God is not capable of being hurt or angered by even our worst of wrongs. God has committed to bring each and every one of us to a Heavenly eternity after our life here on Earth is over. The Heavenly reward we receive has nothing to do with anything done in this life, and everyone, without exception, is ushered into Heaven upon death no matter their behaviors or beliefs. You, me, Hitler, Mother Teresa, Mohamed, Jeffery Dahmer, ministers, prostitutes, pimps, child abusers, Bono, Marilyn Manson - every one is in.
If this were true, what difference would this reality make in your life? Would all of your motivations to do good remain exactly as they are? Would you be freed to do more good? Would you be tempted to do more wrong? Would you do more wrong? Would doing good lose its value because it gets you only as much as doing nothing or doing wrong get's you?
If everyone were to believe this, how would the world change? Better? Worse? No change?
Would love to hear your comments.
4 comments:
To be honest, I would be tempted to do more bad stuff. I would probably do whatever felt good at the time. I think that means I'm doing more for God out of fear then love. Still working on that one!
What a question, Chris!
I wish I had more time to unpack this right now - but here is the basic problem: will Jeffrey Dommer KEEP being Jeffrey Dommer in the "afterlife"? Will Hitler still be Hitler? If so, then this vision of Heaven won't be Heaven.
The fundamental problem isn't God's love for us or his desire to redeem everyone. The problem is: God has to deal with sin in order to restore shalom/peace to the cosmos.In this scenario, God does not deal with that problem.
God judges us according to what we do. He saves us according to his mercy. Both are present in scripture. Take either one away, and you end up with an un-workable theology. Include both, and you have a profound mystery.
Matt,
Jeffrey Dommer became a Christian before he was murdered by prison inmates. He'll be in Heaven.
Matt,
Jeffrey Dommer became a Christian before he was murdered by prison inmates. He'll be in Heaven.
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