Falling into the trap of universalism

Honor is misplaced unless it goes directly to the One who creates, sanctifies, and sustains. God created you for specific tasks to further His kingdom. He wants to use your life--and will allow you to watch His powerful hand at work. Listen for His leading, and praise Him for all He accomplishes.

This story comes to mind: There once was a farmer who owned a horse. One day the horse ran away. All the people in the town came to console the farmer. “Oh, I don’t know,” he said, “maybe it’s a bad thing and maybe it’s not.”

A few days later, the horse returned to the farm accompanied by 20 other horses. (Apparently the horse had made some friends!) All the townspeople came to congratulate the farmer: “Now you have a stable full of horses!” “Oh, I don’t know,” said the farmer, “maybe it’s a good thing and maybe it’s not.”

A few days later, the farmer’s son was out riding one of the new horses. The horse got wild and threw him off, breaking the son’s leg. All of the people in town came to console the farmer because of the accident. Again he said, “Oh, I don’t know, maybe it’s a bad thing and maybe it’s not.”

A few days later, the government declared war and instituted a draft of all able-bodied young men. They came to the town and carted off hundreds of young men, except for the farmer’s son who had a broken leg. “Now I know,” said the farmer, “It was a good thing my horse ran away!”



Rather, in spite of how things may appear, we trust Him to achieve His good purpose. Hold your thoughts and continue reading....

I remember having read  an article recently written by  Dr. Jack Graham who quotes his impressions  about Universalism. I also liked the article:

It goes like this....   

I meet many people today who are falling into the trap of universalism. This idea basically says that no matter what you believe, you’ll go to heaven as long as you are fully sincere in your faith. So whether you’re a Christian, a Muslim, a Hindu, or any other faith, you’ll go to heaven if you truly believe it. And pure universalists don’t even think you have to have any belief at all.

But here’s the problem with universalism: What do you do with those who were sincere in their faith, but were sincerely wrong? Hitler was sincere in his faith that God created the white race as supreme. And the 9/11 terrorists were sincere in their faith that Allah would grant them paradise for killing infidels. So if you’re truly a universalist, you’d say those people would be in heaven.

Universalism breaks down on so many levels. So why is it so popular? Well, it’s because in this postmodern age, people are afraid to claim their way is the right way. But if someone thought drinking cyanide would make them happy, you’d have to tell them the truth that it would kill them. Simply speaking, the truth must be told when lives depend on it!

Don’t shy away from the truth. Be bold in standing for Christ, knowing that your witness just might be the way God brings others into eternal life!  (1)

On the surface, it is pretty difficult to explain why you believe in God. No one has seen Him face-to-face, touched Him, or smelled Him, yet His fingerprints are everywhere. You must get beneath the surface where the intangible becomes tangible. God is made visible through Jesus Christ. Paul writes that Jesus is "the image of the invisible God" (Col 1: 15). If you want to know about God, learn about Jesus. If you want to see God, look at Jesus. If you want to please God, follow Jesus. He is God in the flesh!

To a fundamental Christian, a Unitarian is a heretic who has rejected Jesus as the only "way, the truth and the light". A Unitarian on one hand says that Jesus is the greatest teacher. But Unitarians are blinded to His teachings. Jesus said "I and the Father are One". And, Jesus also taught John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.

To a Christian, a Unitarian seems like someone who can never make up their mind about anything. One of their claims is that they are Unitarians so not to be led into errors by the "teachings of men". But, in remaining outside Christianity, and truly grasping the teachings of Jesus, they fall into the same trap they propose to be hiding from --being misled by men who teach them false doctrines. The Unitarians reject the doctrine of eternal damnation, the Trinity (triune God), and the divinity of Jesus. Universalism is the theological doctrine that all souls will ultimately be saved and that there are no torments of hell.

I know Muslims and Mormons, Christian Scientists, Jehovah Witnesses, Unitarians, Scientologists, Moonies, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Seventh Day Adventists -and many others - will not want to hear this, but the Bible declares that Jesus was the FINAL revelation of God to man (Hebrews 1:1-3). There have been no others.

God bestows upon His followers gifts tailored to each one's ordained assignments. The Holy Spirit reveals our calling, and we're to give our best effort. Of course, no matter what the task may be, the result will be worthless unless the Father breathes life into it. In other words, we are entrusted with God-appointed work. He assigns the duty, provides the skills, and causes growth. The Lord deserves all of the glory. We are blessed simply to be a part of His plan.

As mere vessels that God uses, we should be thankful for anything He accomplishes through us. And by giving Him all the credit, we need never feel defeated with disappointment. Rather, in spite of how things may appear, we trust Him to achieve His good purpose.

Blessings,

Raj Kosaraju

 Reference: 

(1) Dr. Jack Graham, Can you say your faith is the absolute truth? PowerPoint Ministries ,