To the UNIVERSAL RECONCILIATION proponents:
This is the difference between the sin through Adam and the righteousness through Jesus Christ:
Rom 5
16 Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.
17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man,
how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
18 Consequently, 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.
Adam's sin resulted in condemnation for all.
Jesus' obedience resulted in justification for all (not counting men's sins against them).
The difference HOWEVER is shown in both
Rom 5:17 and
2 Cor 5:20
Rom 5:17 says "those who RECEIVE God's grace"
2 Cor 5:20 says "Be reconciled to God"
So we see that man has to receive the grace of God
In a nutshell, this was/is Paul's gospel: "God has reconciled you to himself. Now, reconcile yourself to God."
Reconciliation takes MORE than one party.
Forgiveness can occur as a result on ONLY ONE party's effort, but it takes both parties involved for reconciliation to occur.
UNIVERSAL RECONCILIATION is therefore false based on the following:
1. That sinful man does not have to consciously receive the grace of God (EVEN THOUGH
Rom 5:17 and
2 Cor 5:20 says man has to put his faith in Jesus Christ to be justifed)
2. If justification is received without belief in Christ (i.e no effort from man) just like condemnation was received from Adam (without effort from man),
then those who do not believe in Christ should not have to go through the "refiner's fire" (as universal reconciliation claims).
That is, since ALL MEN partake of God's justification through Christ without even putting their faith in Jesus, then, ALL men should go straight to heaven.
Therefore UNIVERSALISTS, by claiming that unrepentant sinners will go through the "refiner's fire" PROVE (unfortunately for their doctrine) that an unrepentant sinner is NOT justified in the sight of God.
Therefore, their whole claim that justification is received EXACTLY the same way the condemnation was received falls into shambles.
My UNIVERSAL RECONCILIATION proponents, if ALL men receive justification through Christ (without belief) just like condemnation through Adam (without belief),
then, why do you teach that unrepentant sinners will still go through the "refiner's fire?"
Now, on the other extreme is LIMITED ATONEMENT. This is based on the belief that because some people will go to the lake of fire, therefore, their sins MUST not have been atoned for by Jesus Christ.
Again, the answer to this teaching is found in
Rom 5:17 and
2 Cor 5:20
1. We were reconciled to God while we were his enemies by Christ's death
2. We need to receive the grace of God through faith in Christ.
So both UNIVERSAL RECONCILIATION and LIMITED ATONEMENT are wrong.
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