What is Universalism?

Universalism or universal salvation is the belief that all mankind will eventually be saved. It is the belief that every human soul will ultimately go to Heaven irrespective of his/her beliefs or religion.
Universalists argue that a loving and merciful God will never condemn people to eternal punishment in hell. Therefore they believe that God is able to use all faiths and all religions to eventually reconcile every individual to Himself and to Heaven because God is so loving and so merciful that He cannot bear to punish His own creation for eternity.

Universalism is unbiblical and should be rejected as it creates a false concept of the nature of God and it is a direct attack on the gospel of Jesus Christ.

1. Universalism Creates A False Concept of Sin and its Consequences
Universalism minimizes the effects of sin on mankind and the eternal consequences of sin. If all people will eventually end up in Heaven then it means that people are no longer accountable to God for their sins.
Universalism indirectly promotes the philosophy that God will not hold any person accountable for his/her sinful actions. If Universalism is true then one can presume that wicked and unrepentant people such as Hitler or Stalin are in now in Heaven.
The Bible however clearly tells us that sin has consequences. Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death”. This death that is mentioned in this scripture speaks of eternal separation from God. Therefore it is saying that the consequence of sin is eternal punishment.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 also tells us that the consequence of sinful living is that a person will not inherit the kingdom of God.
It’s therefore clear from these scriptures and many others that God takes sin seriously and that sinful living has serious and eternal consequences.

2. Universalism Creates A False Concept of the Purpose of the Cross
Jesus Christ died on the cross because of the existence of sin in the world. Our sins brought Christ to the cross so that He would be crucified for our sake.
If the doctrine of Universalism were true, then it would mean that Jesus Christ would not have to come and be crucified on the cross for the sins of mankind. It presumes that Christ’s finished work on the cross is not relevant.
Universalism therefore attacks the gospel and the purpose of why Christ came to die for our sins.
Isaiah 53:5 says “But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.”
God demands justice because of sin. Mankind is unable to pay for his own sins, therefore Jesus Christ paid for our sins on the cross (Matthew 20:28).
Ephesians 1:7 says that “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace”.

3. Universalism Creates A False Concept of the True Nature of God
Indeed God is merciful; God is loving and God is gracious. However God is also just and holy.
This means that God demands justice for sin. God also holy such that He cannot ever tolerate sin or turn a blind eye towards sin.
Universalists fall into the deception of believing that God’s love and grace tolerates sin and that ultimately God’s love will override the consequence of sin.
However John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
It was God’s love for the world that also sent Jesus to the cross. However, it is only when we believe and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour that we will have eternal life. According to John 3:16, the consequence of not believing in Jesus Christ is that we will perish.
John 3:18 says “Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because He has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”
Therefore according to John 3:18, anyone who does not believe in Jesus Christ is currently under condemnation until such a time when that person believes in Jesus Christ, then he/she is no longer condemned (Romans 8:1).
Therefore whilst God is loving, He still demands justice. Jesus Christ paid for our sins; He was crucified in our place; He paid the debt for sin we could not pay. So when we receive Christ as Lord and Saviour we avoid eternal punishment and we are reconciled to a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
However, when a person does not accept the finished work of Christ on the cross, then that person will experience the full justice, wrath and condemnation of God because he/she has rejected Jesus Christ (Romans 1:18; Colossians 3:5-6).

4. Universalism Rejects Jesus Christ As The Only Way to Heaven
Universalism ultimately rejects Jesus Christ as being the only means by whom we can eternally reconcile with God. Therefore Universalists will reject Jesus Christ as being God’s only mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).
In John 14:6 Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Acts 4:12 says that salvation is found in no one else under heaven except by Jesus Christ.
However, universalism promotes the belief that there are many paths which lead to God and to heaven. Universalism promotes the belief that a person can reconcile with God by his/her own merit and not through Christ alone.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says we are saved by grace through faith in Christ and not by our own works or merit.

Conclusion
Universalism is therefore an unbiblical belief. Universalists are generally more likely to believe or promote the idea that all religions can “coexist” or that all religions can unite as one.
However, the scriptures are clear that Jesus Christ alone is the only way by which mankind can be saved.
The Bible is very clear that hell exists and that tragically there are many people who will face eternal punishment (Revelation 21:8; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 25:46).
In Matthew 7:13 Jesus says: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”
Jesus Christ is the narrow gate. He alone is the only way to reconcile with God and He alone is the Lord and Saviour for all of mankind.

DO YOU WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN or A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST???

1. ACKNOWLEDGE: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
This means that we have all broken God’s laws and God’s 10 Commandments like those mentioned in Exodus 20:1-17. For example, if you have told a lie; if you have stolen something; if you have lusted after somebody or if you have coveted. This means you are guilty of breaking at least one or more of God’s 10 Commandments. Breaking God’s commandments makes us sinners. The fact that we are sinners who have broken God’s law means that we are accountable to God who is the Lawgiver. Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death BUT the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”
You must acknowledge that you are a sinner who has broken God’s commandments and that you therefore need Jesus in your life.

2. REPENT: “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3), “Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19)
Repenting means: to change your mind; a sincere turning away, in heart, mind and action;
Therefore God wants you to repent of sinful values and of sinful living. God wants you to decide to
follow Him and to make Jesus the Lord of your life.

3. CONFESSION: “If we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9)
God is a forgiving God. God will forgive any sin that you have done because Jesus died for ALL your sins and to set you free from the bondage of all types of sin in your life.

4. BELIEVE: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
You must believe that ONLY Jesus can save you and restore your relationship with God. You must believe that Jesus is the ONLY way by which you can have everlasting life and escape from eternal separation from God. You must believe that Jesus died on the cross for you and resurrected from the grave.
“He came to His own, and His own did not receive him, But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:11-12)
By faith, You must receive Jesus as Your Lord & Savior and therefore; you become a child of God; you become born again; you become a Christian; you restore your broken relationship with God

Why Not Make Your Eternal Decision NOW?

We become born again Christians by GRACE through FAITH or TOTAL TRUST in Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior (Galatians 3:26) & (Ephesians 2:8,9). Salvation is a FREE gift received through FAITH in Christ.

PLEASE NOTE: You can choose to pray in your own words. This prayer is a sample prayer and it is only an EXPRESSION of your faith, belief & trust in Jesus. Salvation is by GRACE through FAITH or BELIEVING in Christ Jesus as your Lord & Saviour.

“Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your love. I thank You that You died on the cross for me and resurrected so that I may have life through You.
I confess Lord that I have sinned against You and today I ask You to forgive me of all of my sins, past present and future.
Today I repent and have decided to follow you. Thank you for forgiving all my sins.
From this moment, come into my life Lord Jesus & take full control of my life. I want to follow You Jesus and I want to follow Your ways. Save me and from today, make me the person You want me to be.
I receive You Lord Jesus right now by faith. I trust You as my Lord and Savior – Amen”

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