Universalism

My first encounter with universalism, although I didn't recognize it by that name at the time, happened during a conversation with a New Age practitioner while I was sharing the gospel message of Jesus Christ. As I explained to him that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, but the good news is that Jesus paid the price for our sins, offering a free gift of salvation and a relationship with God, along with eternal life in Heaven, he became visibly upset. His face contorted with rage, and he nearly shook as he spoke.
 
"I won't believe in a God who forces people to receive Jesus or go to hell," he spat out angrily. "That is not love." His frustration was palpable as he fired off questions at me. "What about all the indigenous people living in jungles who have never even heard of Jesus? What about people in foreign countries who don't know Him? How can that be fair? I don’t see how that can be fair!” His words were filled with indignation, anger and disbelief. He couldn't reconcile the concept of a loving God with what he perceived as arbitrary rules and eternal punishment.
 
I tried to explain the loving sacrifice that Jesus made for us, how it was an act of profound love, not vengeance. But because he couldn't see how it was fair or just; he rejected the Jesus I was telling him about—my Jesus. He spoke of his many spiritual experiences, where spiritual counselors would visit him, affirming that his belief was correct and everyone was okay, that all people would go to heaven regardless of their beliefs. These experiences with these spiritual beings validated his belief that salvation through Jesus was unnecessary.
 
Throughout our conversation, his anger at my biblical perspective was striking. He accused me of being uncaring, suggesting that I wanted people to go to hell simply because I believed in the necessity of accepting Jesus as Savior. It was as if my personal belief, rooted in Scripture, was directly responsible for the eternal fate of others. He saw my faith not as an expression of love, but as an endorsement of an angry, vengeful God eager to send people to hell for His own pleasure.
 
Despite his anger, I continued to help him in many ways over the years, more so than his friends who shared his beliefs. I wanted to show him that I cared for him, even though he hated my God and viewed me as an uncaring, hate-filled person.
 
Years later, I began to encounter similar sentiments within the church. Friends and fellow believers questioned how I could be so "hateful" as to insist on the necessity of accepting Jesus for salvation. They echoed the New Age sentiments I had heard before, which had been influenced by Eastern mysticism and esoteric spirituality. Which now had now subtly crept into the church. This blending of beliefs created a form of spiritual relativism that diluted or subverted the gospel's core message.
 
It was disheartening to see how the powerful truth of the gospel was being overshadowed by these influences. People who once stood firm in the faith were now swayed by the idea that all paths lead to God, that there is no need for evangelism or urgency in sharing Christ's message of salvation. This growing trend within the church highlights the critical need for sound doctrine and a steadfast commitment to the truth of Scripture.
 
In these conversations, I learned the importance of both patience and persistence in sharing the gospel. Despite encountering opposition and misunderstanding, we must continue to present the truth with love and clarity, trusting that God will work in the hearts of those we reach. The reality of hell and the urgency of salvation through Jesus are not comfortable topics, but they are essential truths that we cannot afford to compromise. Also, the people who believe such things are not bad people, but they are people who need to hear and understand the truth. If you love someone you tell them the uncomfortable truth, the truth that contradicts “the beautiful lie.”
 
After this encounter and while considering the validity of universalism, several compelling questions arose about the early Christian martyrs and the teachings of Jesus Himself. If universalism were true, why would the disciples choose to endure horrific deaths rather than simply telling their persecutors, "Believe what you want, because you're all saved anyway"? These men, who lived with Jesus day and night, would have known the truth. When faced with beatings, imprisonment and death, why didn't they just declare that everyone was saved regardless of their lack of faith in Christ? “It’s ok everyone! You don’t really have to receive Jesus as savior or even believe in Him for that matter.”
 
The steadfastness of the disciples in proclaiming Jesus as the only way to salvation, even unto death, speaks volumes. For instance, Peter was crucified upside down, Paul was beheaded, and others were stoned, burned, or speared. They held firmly to their faith because they understood that salvation through Jesus was not optional but essential. Their willingness to suffer and die for this belief underscores the exclusivity of the gospel message.
 
Consider also the thief on the cross. When he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom," Jesus responded, "Today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:42-43). If universalism were true, why didn't Jesus say, "Today you will both be with me in paradise"? This specific response highlights the necessity of a personal faith in Christ for salvation.
 
Another example is Stephen, the first Christian martyr. As he was being stoned, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" and pleaded for forgiveness for his executioners (Acts 7:59-60). Stephen's unwavering testimony and his appeal to Jesus at the moment of death illustrate his firm belief in the necessity of faith in Christ, even in the face of death.
 
Paul's missionary journeys also provide insight. He tirelessly preached the gospel, often facing severe persecution. In his letter to the Romans, he expressed deep sorrow for his fellow Israelites who had not accepted Christ, saying, "I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people" (Romans 9:2-3). If universalism were true, such anguish would be unnecessary, as Paul would have believed that all were saved regardless of their faith.
 
Additionally, consider the Great Commission given by Jesus: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). If universalism were true, this command to evangelize and disciple would be redundant. The emphasis on spreading the gospel to all nations underscores the necessity of faith in Jesus for salvation.
 
Finally, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) provides a stark contrast between the destinies of the faithful and the unrepentant. The rich man, in torment, pleads for relief and a warning to his family. Abraham’s response indicates a fixed chasm between the saved and the lost, underscoring the permanence of one’s eternal destiny based on their response to God’s message.
 
These examples collectively demonstrate that the early disciples, Jesus’ teachings, and the broader biblical narrative do not support the concept of universalism. Instead, they emphasize the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ as the exclusive means of salvation. The urgency and fervor with which the apostles preached, even in the face of death, affirm the critical importance of this message.
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Over the years, I have encountered many believers who once firmly embraced the clear message of salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, some have since shifted toward a more inclusive and seemingly kinder belief system. In this book, I aim to demonstrate that God's plan of salvation is inherently loving and merciful, and there is no need for us to create an alternative. God's love is unwavering, even when His ways do not align with our own desires. He is sovereign, and His love is evident in His desire for all to be saved, as He clearly states in His Word.

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 NKJV)