For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, Romans 1:18
Now and again, the Lord willing I get to share my faith with non-believers. Every time I get to witness it never goes according to plan as I get bombarded with unexpected questions I am not fully prepared to answer. In a way this is a good thing for me, because difficult questions always drive me to my bible. If I get stuck with a difficult question during witnessing, my desire to know more about God increases and God is so gracious to me because He always leads me to the knowledge of the truth through His Word. I learn more about the character and nature of God when I witness. When I share my faith with my fellow Africans, there is one question that pops up now and again," We never had the bible to begin with, our ancestors had their own beliefs, it is not their fault that they never heard the gospel. Why should they go to hell if they did not have the chance to hear the gospel and believe, is God not fair and just in sending them to hell?" To be honest I have wrestled with this question as a new believer, I never quite knew how to answer this one. But the more I think about this, the more I am taken back to my life as an unbeliever. I am one of those who actually never heard the gospel all my life prior to my conversion. Even though I was raised in a religious home and went to religious schools, the truth is I never heard the true gospel of Jesus Christ. All I knew was syncretic religion (false Christianity mixed with traditional cultural African beliefs), portrayed by the worst hypocrites. That is the religion I knew as a child which to be honest I hated then and still do today.
So when I think of those who say its not fair for God to send those who have not heard the gospel to hell, I look at my own life. Had I died 4 years ago, I would have gone straight to hell, even though I did not know that I could be forgiven through Christ.I did not know the glorious gospel yet I still would have gone straight to the pits of hell to be tortured for all eternity for my sins, and God would have been just in sending me to hell. I say this because the bible says so and I too can testify about this truth.
About eight years ago I lay in a hospital bed, tears rolled down my cheeks, I knew it would only be a matter of minutes before I would do something that would horrify and haunt me for the rest of my life. My heart was racing fast, I was in tears. Tears of confusion, tears of fear, tears of knowing that what was about to happen was evil. Before I knew it, still confused and in tears, I was whisked off to another room, and the next minute I woke up, guilt and pain filled my heart. I had just killed my first baby. My conscience condemned me, I was wrecked with guilt from that moment. I was not a believer, but suddenly all I could think of was that there could be a God who had seen all I had done. I was filled with shame. The fact that my baby had now died, I started thinking about death, to some degree I became convinced that there was an afterlife. If there was a good God I thought, then there must be a hell for people like me. The concept I had thought to be a myth all my life suddenly became a shocking and fearful reality. I developed a sudden fear of death. If there was a heaven, it became very obvious that I was not heading there, no way I could qualify. For the first time in my life I could not argue with the concept of Hell, it became apparent why I deserved Hell. To me this is clear evidence of what Paul described in Romans 2, my conscience bearing witness to the holiness of God, and the law written upon my heart accused me that I had violated the commandment not to kill, even though I had never heard the true gospel and was totally ignorant and without ability to comprehend the God of scripture. Romans 2:14 - 15 says- "For when the Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them".
Most people who are not saved do not want to admit this truth, that they know in their hearts that they are condemned, because their consciences accuses them. Even those who have not heard the gospel know that they are wicked and vile,(Romans 1:21) but many try to suppress that truth, especially hard hearted proud people like atheists, whom God has given up to their vile passions. Little do they realise they are storing up wrath for themselves in the day of judgement and it will be too late to repent. As for me I knew I was condemned years before God graciously saved me, even though I tried hard to suppress this truth by falsely comforting myself in that maybe I was wrong, there might not be a God after all. But this never got rid of my shame and guilt. Sadly I only knew part of the truth, that what I had done was wrong. I thought that was it for me. I did not know that there was a way in which I could be forgiven.I did not even realise how depraved or lost I was. The most shocking thing is I never sought God and did not even want to get saved, (John 6:44 )but God performed a supernatural work in my heart and raised dead bones to life, and behold 5 years later after I had an abortion, I was saved!
I am so grateful to God that he saved me. Now I know that no one goes to hell because they have never heard of Jesus, people go to hell because of their own wickedness against God.People love their sin and hate to be stopped, yes even people who are in the midst of pain and suffering still love their sin. And their conscience too bears witness, even when they have never read the bible. It breaks my heart when I see so called missionaries who go to Africa to feed the hungry first and then they say they will only preach the gospel when the people are well fed and happy, then the gospel will be relevant to them. People who think like this are not true Christians. The gospel of Jesus Christ is relevant to everyone on this planet regardless of circumstances, culture, race or religion. We are all sinners who deserve wrath, and God is just and fair, it is us who are unfair and wicked, Ezekiel 18:25-32.
Today when I look at the words of Jesus in Mathew 11:28 I am broken to tears. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Not only did Christ pay for my sin on the cross, but today He also embraces and comforts me. Now I know that when God looks at me, He sees the righteousness of Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:21. And on Calvary God poured his wrath on His Son for the baby I killed, not only for the cold blooded murder of my baby, but for all things I have done wrong, all this so that today I can be declared not- guilty by God. Those of us who are truly saved can honestly say we do not deserve salvation. For by grace we are saved through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God... lest anyone should boast, Ephesians 2:8-9.
We are no better off than those who perish without ever knowing of Christ. The only difference is that God who is rich in mercy chose to save us, even though we did nothing to contribute or impart to the grace we have received. Salvation is a gift no one deserves and those who perish without hearing the gospel deserve the wrath of God as much as we all do. No one is undeserving of hell. That is why as believers we have to be passionate about spreading the good news of forgiveness of sins to every creature, it is our only mission.
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
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33 comments:
What an awesome post and testimony. I only wish every woman who has experienced what you have gone through would read it. God Bless you.
They call me Pops
That was well put! We all seem to have plenty of examples of our own depravity to hold up as an example of why we deserve hell and yet have been given grace in order to obtain admittance to heaven!
According to the bible it's not just following the law. Lets say I worship Delspar the Great. Delspar's laws are exactly the same as God's. Delspar sent his sone Sam the Great to die for my sins. I follow the law perfectly. In the end I would still burn in hell. Why? because I had never heard of God or Jesus. I followed their rules perfectly but I didn't do it in their name because I didn't know them. That is unjust.
In my last comment I said I grew up Christian. To be more specific I grew up Mormon and at least their belief system had a way to save those who hadn't heard of God or Christ in their lifetime.
Once again I assert that if God and Jesus punish people for not hearing about them, they being 2 out of over 30,000 gods that have existed since the beginning of human history then they can go piss off.
Aaron,
First of all mormonism is a false religion, their jesus is an idol and not the Jesus Christ of scripture.
Secondly the fact that you confuse Christianity and mormonism shows how lost and decieved you are.
Thirdly you were never a Christian, you can not lose your salvation.
You need to repent for your sins and stop your rebelion agaisnt the one true God of the bible. As I said you will not go to Hell because you have not heard the gospel, you will perish because of your wickedness. But God offers grace and its clear you have not recieved it. It seems as if you grew up in false religion, and if you are angry with what you were taught in mormonism I do not blame you, that is what false religion does to you, I myself grew up in false religion too and was not very happy with it either.
Jean, I think I see what you are saying here. You are saying that, by default, people go to hell.
The only way they DON'T go to hell is if they are forgiven/shown mercy by God.
I think thats where you and aaron are not communicating. He doesn't see hell as the default, but rather hell and heaven are things
you 'earn'.
But this does bring into question what you were originally talking about.
If I am born a sinner, and only God's love and forgiveness can save me, and I never hear the gospel or hear the name Jesus, aren't I effectively going to hell because I am never given the chance to be saved?
Aaron, you should read Bible carefuly... and Jean's post also... she mentioned Romans 2... The light of nature. This the Gentiles have, and by this they shall be judged: As many as have sinned without law shall perish without law; that is, the unbelieving Gentiles, who had no other guide but natural conscience, no other motive but common mercies, and had not the law of Moses nor any supernatural revelation, shall not be reckoned with for the transgression of the law they never had, nor come under the aggravation of the Jews' sin against and judgment by the written law; but they shall be judged by, as they sin against, the law of nature, not only as it is in their hearts, corrupted, defaced, and imprisoned in unrighteousness, but as in the uncorrupt original the Judge keeps by him. Further to clear this (Rom 2:14, Rom 2:15), in a parenthesis, he evinces that the light of nature was to the Gentiles instead of a written law. He had said (Rom 2:12) they had sinned without law, which looks like a contradiction; for where there is no law there is no transgression. But, says he, though they had not the written law (Psa 147:20), they had that which was equivalent, not to the ceremonial, but to the moral law. They had the work of the law. He does not mean that work which the law commands, as if they could produce a perfect obedience; but that work which the law does. The work of the law is to direct us what to do, and to examine us what we have done. Now, (1.) They had that which directed them what to do by the light of nature: by the force and tendency of their natural notions and dictates they apprehended a clear and vast difference between good and evil. They did by nature the things contained in the law. They had a sense of justice and equity, honour and purity, love and charity; the light of nature taught obedience to parents, pity to the miserable, conservation of public peace and order, forbade murder, stealing, lying, perjury, etc. Thus they were a law unto themselves. (2.) They had that which examined them as to what they had done: Their conscience also bearing witness. They had that within them which approved and commended what was well done and which reproached them for what was done amiss. Conscience is a witness, and first or last will bear witness, though for a time it may be bribed or brow-beaten. It is instead of a thousand witnesses, testifying of that which is most secret; and their thoughts accusing or excusing, passing a judgment upon the testimony of conscience by applying the law to the fact. Conscience is that candle of the Lord which was not quite put out, no, not in the Gentile world.
The same light and law of nature that witnesses against sin in them, and witnessed against it in others, accused or excused one another... according as they observed or broke these natural laws and dictates, their consciences did either acquit or condemn them. All this did evince that they had that which was to them instead of a law, which they might have been governed by, and which will condemn them, because they were not so guided and governed by it. So that the guilty Gentiles are left without excuse. God is justified in condemning them. They cannot plead ignorance, and therefore are likely to perish if they have not something else to plead.
To all-
If someone never hears the gospel they will not go to hell for unbelief, they will go to hell for their sins. Lies, thefts, adulteries, etc.
And for this cause are we commanded by the Saviour to go and preach the Gospel to the whole world.
This creates a zeal in the truly saved to leave home and family and go to faraway dangerous places to seek the lost.
To say there are other ways to heaven defeats this and is in defiance of the command of Christ.
I leaves men in their sins to their destruction.
So the universalist doctrines of the mormon cult that have been mentioned are straight from the mouth of Satan, as are all universalist doctrines.
They will grow and grow in the last days into the one world religion of the false prophet.
Do not be deceived into this lie!
Shalom Jean. Keep up the good work and may God bless.
Am Yisrael Chai!!
Go IDF!!!
Dani' El
your testimony reminds me about the "ten shekels and a shirt" by Paris Reidhead.
Dani'El, I'm still confused.
If I am a sinner, as all people are, and my only chance at redemption is if I hear the gospel and forgiven by God, then aren't I basically condemned to Hell if I never hear the gospel?
While I may go to Hell because of my sins (which I simply can't avoid because I am human and sinful), effectively I am going to Hell because I don't hear the gospel and so can't avoid damnation.
I am born going to hell and find salvation in the gospel. If I never hear the gospel, salvation can never be mine.
Moleboy,
That's exactly right.
Which is why all true believers have such a zeal for evangelism.
It really cannot be more important to preach the Gospel to the whole world.
Something to note.
Those who have heard the gospel and rejected it face a more severe judgment after death than those who never heard it.
Luk 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
Luk 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Moleboy
Please please do not use the doctrine of election and predestination as an excuse for your unbelief, please fear God! It is a fearful thing to fall in the hands of the living God! flee from the wrath that is to come, repent and believe! If you hear God's voice today, do not harden your heart...today is the day of salvation!
Jean, that was not my intention.
I'm really just looking for clarification.
You believe that we are all sinful, and we need the gospel for redemption.
If we are denied hearing the gospel (for whatever reason), our sins will take us to hell.
Moleboy
Very true, our sin takes us to Hell. Bottom line. God does not owe anyone salvation. He could have chose not to save any of us and He would still be Holy Holy Holy. We do not add anything to the nature or character of God. He does not need us. But what is man that God is mindful of Him? Its truly amazing. But because He is not only Holy, He is also full of mercy, so He sent His only Son to die for those who would believe.
So do not worry about those who died without the chance of hearing the gospel, God is just. He is never unfair. He will deal with them accordingly. They will perish because of their sin. Trust in His Sovereingnty. Instead worry about your own sin, what are you going to do when you face Him on that great day?
Thank you both for your clarification.
I can't possibly believe that God, if he exists, would behave that way, but thank you for answering my questions
Okay Moleboy, I dont want us to keep going round in circles here but I do appreciate your honesty. The issue here is you have your own god, one that you have created in your own mind to suit yourself. But the fact is that the God Dani'EI, Natasa and myself have described is the true God of the Bible. You can not change that. He is who He is. There is no one above Him. He does what He pleases and you have no right to question Him. His ways are right and yours are wrong. I hope you come to this realization in this life, because in the next life you will have much to fear....
Jean, if I believed in the Bible in any way, then you might have a valid argument to make.
However, I simply do not believe in the book or the god described in the book, so I am not worried.
Jean said:
>>Every time I get to witness it never goes according to plan as I get bombarded with unexpected questions I am not fully prepared to answer.<<
You never answer my questions, but here goes, what do you mean by witness, and which scriptural texts say that women can preach the gospel - if that is what you mean by witness?
Also, the questions that you say: "I am not fully prepared to answer;" do you actually mean that you are not qualified or sufficiently informed to answer them?
Jean- isn't that kind of tough luck for all the billions of people throughout history who never had a chance to get to Heaven, because they never heard the Gospel? Seems like a kind of slipshod way of doing things, and cruel besides. But don't listen to me- I'm just a nice guy who happens to be an atheist.
Dani'el- you do get around! Howdy! Are we still on for lunch?
Howzit Zilch.
Yeah if Sodom is still standing in June, lunch is on.
I went for a nice walk in Golden Gate park today to see my Father's World.
He sent a beautiful crystal clear blue sky, with 75 degree temps in January for which I am eternally thankful.
How's it in icy Vienna?
Sister Jean,
Zilch is a nice guy (for a heathen. :D) He's incredibly smart and equally blind. Please join me in praying for him and his family.
I'll be sending you an email later tonight in answer to your comments on my blog.
Baruch HaShem
Dani' El
Oh noes! Not another Christian praying for me! The pressure is getting too high- aarrrgggh!
Dani'el, it's fine in icy Vienna, except I just broke a bow I've been working on for the past week. Sigh. But better I break it here in the workshop than it breaks after I've sold it. And what the hey- that's life, isn't it?
Jean- all the best to you and your family. It sounds like you've had some really hard times, and I'm happy if you're doing well now.
About being a heathen: as Dani'el knows, I'm much more interested in how people behave, how they treat one another, than in what they believe. I have friends of many different religions, or of no religion, and that's fine with me. The important thing is to love one another. Didn't someone say something like this once?
cheers from snowy Vienna, zilch
Tom Mahon said,
"You never answer my questions, but here goes, what do you mean by witness, and which scriptural texts say that women can preach the gospel - if that is what you mean by witness?"
I do not answer your questions because I do not see your criticism for me as constructive in any way at all. If I am so wrong why do you not correct me in love?
Zilch said,
"Jean- all the best to you and your family. It sounds like you've had some really hard times, and I'm happy if you're doing well now."
Thank you Zilch that is very kind, yep I have had a pretty rough ride in life, but the good news is it is now well with my soul, I would never change my past if I could go back in time, I believe in the sovereignty of my Father in Heaven!
Jean said...
>>I do not answer your questions because I do not see your criticism for me as constructive in any way at all.<<
I am not sure what criticisms you are referring to. I was just trying to understand what you mean by the term "witness?" And if it means preaching the gospel, which scriptural texts say that women should preach the gospel? I certainly don't see this request for clarification as a criticism of you.
Will you now please answer my questions?
JEAN>>If I am so wrong why do you not correct me in love?<<
Ah, love has two side to it. It can be gentle, but it can also be harsh. But most people only welcome the gentle side.
Tom,
What are your intentions towards Jean?
Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Although women are prohibited from teaching or preaching in church, the first evangelists were indeed women.
Mat 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
Mat 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
Mat 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
Mat 28:4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
Mat 28:5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
Mat 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Mat 28:7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
Mat 28:8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
Mat 28:9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
Mat 28:10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
Dani' El said...
>>What are your intentions towards Jean?<<
I have no intentions towards Jean. Jean has posted a lot of ideas on a range of subjects, especially about her conversion and her zeal to "witness" for Christ. I just wanted to know whether her zeal is according to knowledge or not according to knowledge?
As you rightly said, women are neither permitted to speak in church nor usurp authority over the man, as Adam was first formed and then Eve. And the man was not created for the woman, but the woman for the man. Therefore, Christian women are to be under obedience to their husbands.
Now your explanation of Jesus meeting with Mary and giving her instructions and advice to convey to his disciples, as preaching the gospel, is twisting the Scriptures to make it say what you want to believe. The command to go into all the world and preach the gospel was given to the 12 Apostles, who were all men. Later, the original Apostles were joined by Paul, Silas Timothy, Barnabas and many others in preaching the gospel. Not a single woman was ever mentioned as a minister or a preacher of the gospel.
So if Jean has a desire to "witness," that is, preach the gospel, it didn't come from God. Unless God is not the same, today, yesterday and forever!
Tom,
Are you a member of the Worldwide Church of God.
Do you hold to Armstrong's doctrines?
This should settle things real quick.
Tom I have just browsed your blog out of curiosity from your latest comment, I am sorry I have failed to understand a single thing...where you are coming from or where you are going??? Maybe its your English, too complicated for me.
Are you born again, are you a Christian, did you repent and put your trust in Jesus?
I am not being rude Tom, I just want to know what it is you believe, I did not get an answer on your blog...
Jean said...
>>Tom I have just browsed your blog out of curiosity from your latest comment, I am sorry I have failed to understand a single thing...where you are coming from or where you are going???<<
If you read my profile it will answer some of your questions.
My blog was primarily set up to expose the hirelings who masquerade as ministers of Christ, but are only in it for the money.
Danie'EI I think Tom IS a member of the WCG, I could be wrong but it looks that way from his blog, which is way too complicated for my simple mind....
If he is, how does it settle things quickly, do you mind sharing???
Tom, I read your profile.... but I was left with questions still??
But I will leave that for now, I would like to hear Dani'EI's take on this WCG I had never heard of it before.
Jean,
You may have noticed that Tom is avoiding answering our questions about his church.
Here is why-
http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Cults/armstrong.htm
The WCG is a cult, formed by the gross heretic Armstrong. It is similar in many ways to the 7th day Adventist cult.
In the last few years they have been trying to convince the evangelical church that they have changed their ways, but some members who have genuinely repented and left the church are saying their efforts are not sincere.
There is a testimony from one ex-member in the link I provided.
Tom shows his true colors when he comes to your blog making legalistic accusations and trying to conceal his connections to the WCG.
You have a reader on your blog, I forget her name, who knows more about the WCG.
She was exposing someone earlier, maybe it was Tom.
In all, don't worry about Tom's accusations.
I will add. Even thought women are not to be pastors, preachers, etc.
I find no reason from scripture why women cannot work in evangelism passing out tracts or witnessing in public.
Especially to other women.
Dani'EL,
Thank you for confirming something I have been suspecting for a while about Tom, his comments on this blog have always stood out to me, he is not the average obvious false Christian is he but at the same time his understanding of scripture came across as strange to me. I always thought from his comments something was not quite right, but could not put my finger on it. It was not much of what he said, it was what he DID NOT say that stood out to me.
Out of curiosity I visited his blog, his testimony on his profile was a concern to me and left me confused, he mentions how he received the holy spirit after baptism which made me doubt his story. A lot of statements on his profile left a lot of question marks in my head. Now you have just confirmed everything, its because he is in a cult.
When I asked Tom what he believed as to was he born again, did he repent and trust Jesus, he failed to answer ;that made me more suspicious.
Thank you for enlightening me about this cult which I had no clue about, the site you gave me was helpful.
You never know maybe one day I will meet a member of the WCG in future when I am "witnessing".
Jean,
I seem to remember that Armstrong did teach the heresy of baptismal regeneration.
And much more, like no eternal hell, denial of the trinity etc.
Armstrong also taught that his church was the only true church and all others were deceptions. Kind of like the Catholics. He declared himself to be a kind of Pope.
Amen. It's good to have some knowledge of the kingdom of the cults when witnessing.
I wish I could remember the name of the sister who was posting on you blog earlier about the WCG.
She seemed to know a lot about them.
Praying for you Jean!
Baruch HaShem!
Dani' El
Maybe it was on my post 'A four year old who knows she needs a saviour'. Unfortunately I have not read some of the comments yet, at that time too much was going on I had to stay away from my blog as the drama unfolded, but I will try and make time and read the comments...maybe I will find her there. Otherwise I would have known about her comments.
Thanks again brother :)
hey jean,
i don't know if this came up in the comments. but i just wanted to point out that everyone WILL hear the Gospel before God takes them from this earth. He is a perfectly fair and just God and no one will perish under their own sins without having had the opportunity to accept Christ. (there are examples in the Bible of God sending people missionaries, angels, and visions/dreams to spread His Truth).
i recently did a blog about "do the unreached go to hell?" - i think it's a popular topic that a lot of people don't understand. and then they take their misunderstandings and use that as justification for rejecting Jesus.
if people don't accept Christ , they will perish BUT at some point in their lives they will have been warned.
p.s. love your blog!
a sister in Christ,
Lauren
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