JD writes:
In
Col 1:17ff, we find the fact of reconciliation presented
and the purpose of this reconciliation put forth. We have been
reconciled so that we might be holy, blameless and above reproach in His
sight. How can young people benefit from
this teaching -- the full presentation; the fact and the
purpose? Think about it: if we do not approach the effort
to holiness with the view in mind of securing our salvation; if
we understand that our salvation is secured by other
influences -- then the purpose of holiness is for our own health, for our
own good. If we are not saved via holiness, what, then is
the benefit? Sanctification and spiritual maturity. Our
youth need to see the blessing of holy pursuits and the
scandal of selfish
impatience.
jt: Rather we should be
teaching them spiritual discernment along with the blessings of obedience
and the curses that come upon those who rebel. We need to tell them to
pursue the light while they have opportunity because darkness is there to
overtake them because It's much more than a 'scandal' JD. It's a matter of
life and/or death although the way you & Kruger state it -
Reconciliation is just layed on us when we are unaware so who
would ever guess "It's a narrow way that only a few are going to
find"
JD: If we understand that "reconciliation" is for all but "salvation" is
not always used in the grander sense, we will have no problem, here. Perhaps
this is another one of those problematic issues. Not for me, but I can
see that it would be for others. "Salvation"
is both esoteric in presentation and universal in Divine Hope.
Where you see "few" saved, I see whole nations standing in His
light ( Rev 21:24.)
jt: Are you telling me now that
Jesus "The Word of God" was not aware of this when He said "strait is the
gate and narrow is the way and only a few will find it?" Could be few
in the light of all who have ever lived, I don't know about that but when
Jesus says "few" - I believe He means "few"
JD: -- I see myriad's of creatures
(including human creatures) worshipping Him (Rev. 5:9-14).
In Rev 7:9,10 I have this reading : After these things I
looked and behold, a great multitude, which no one could count
(what ??!!!!) from every nation and all tribes and
peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed
in which robes and palm branches were in their hands and the cry out with a
loud voice, saying, "Salvation is to our God who sits on the throne and to
the Lamb." Do you understand why I disagree
with the notion that salvation is for only a few. Perhaps "the few" of
which you speak (and it is definitely there in the biblical
text) is a reference to the Poeple of Israel -- I
don't know but I will say that heaven will be chucked full of people like
you and me.
jt: There's a
great multitude which no one could count (they estimate) at the Vatican
right now filing by to kneel in front
of the corpse of a dead Pope - these are
but few compared to the present population of this world in our
generation.
JD: When Christian young people
deliberately choose to indulge themselves with no concern for
others (and that is exactly what they are doing), they
make themselves no different in function from those who hate God and give
Him no acclaim. THAT is the scandal, as I see
it. It is the scandal in my life, for sure. I was
quite the sexual activist in my younger days - me a
Christian and forever (it seemed) a leader within our youth group and at
Christian college.
jt No fear of God is the result of
believing the lie that
there is no consequence for sin.
JD: Yes in deed. A very important
consideration.
One day, I asked myself this
question: "how in the hell am I different from the
atheists? I mean, I am doing these things ON
PURPOSE, deliberately IGNORING my own conscience, just because I don't
want to wait. I am insulting the very authority of God, my
loving and patient spiritual Father -
will He run out of patience with me? Will he
conclude that I am none of His BECAUSE THAT IS THE WAY I AM LIVING MY LIFE? "
jt: You wouldn't be in line to inherit God's Kingdom - that's
for sure. Fornicators don't make it and under the Old Covenant
presumptuous sinners were cut off.
JD: Even a loving
and patient father wonders these things when he sees his own destroying
their lives and, after all is said and done, CANNOT STOP THEM. And so Christ
stands over the city and weeps. He CANNOT COMMAND
FAITH. Grace is free but not cheap and we all have to make that
concept a truth in our lives.
jt: So what's the
concept JD and what do you tell the ppl you counsel to aid them in becoming
free from their misery and
addictions?
JD: There are no typical answers,
Judy.
jt: There are
answers JD. For what purpose was the Son of God
manifest? Wasn't it to destroy the work of the evil one so the
captives could be made free? If we are not seeing captives being
made free then there is a big disconnect in our understanding and we are not
where we should be in Christ at all, no matter what Kruger
says.
judyt.
