Genesis tells us that we were created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). Though Adam and Eve disobeyed God, thus releasing the poison of sins to contaminate the world, God did not give up. He wants all of us to be saved. Of course, God has given us freedom. Without freedom, our love of God would be forced and worthless. In order to respect our freedom, God risks losing some souls to Satan. Even one of Jesus' chosen apostles committed suicide. But God is almighty. It is only logical that He should save all fallen mankind. And this is indeed what He intended to do. Paul has the following to say.
This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4).
What made Paul so optimistic that all of us would receive God's salvation?
Paul was not alone. His view was shared by John who wrote some four decades later. But John added a condition.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Again, this is a popular Protestant quotation which appears in many outdoor neon light displays.
This God's desire for all men to be saved carries a condition. According to John, whoever believe in Jesus will be saved. Paul was not wrong. John only made things clearer. But Paul has also mentioned the importance of faith. Protestants like to quote Paul out of context and stress much about justification by faith. Catholics also hold the belief in the justification by faith. Their difference lies in the difference between Protestant and Catholic interpretations of faith. Is faith only a mind game, or does it requires actions? Protestants favour the former interpretation while Catholics insists on the latter. Protestants argue that Jesus has come to establish the New Covenant. Therefore, Christians do not need to follow the Torah. However, Jesus himself said that he came to fulfil the law, not to abolish it.
Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them (Matthew 5:17).
Therefore, faith does not exclude actions.
This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4).
What made Paul so optimistic that all of us would receive God's salvation?
Paul was not alone. His view was shared by John who wrote some four decades later. But John added a condition.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Again, this is a popular Protestant quotation which appears in many outdoor neon light displays.
This God's desire for all men to be saved carries a condition. According to John, whoever believe in Jesus will be saved. Paul was not wrong. John only made things clearer. But Paul has also mentioned the importance of faith. Protestants like to quote Paul out of context and stress much about justification by faith. Catholics also hold the belief in the justification by faith. Their difference lies in the difference between Protestant and Catholic interpretations of faith. Is faith only a mind game, or does it requires actions? Protestants favour the former interpretation while Catholics insists on the latter. Protestants argue that Jesus has come to establish the New Covenant. Therefore, Christians do not need to follow the Torah. However, Jesus himself said that he came to fulfil the law, not to abolish it.
Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them (Matthew 5:17).
Therefore, faith does not exclude actions.
Several times in Wisdom 12, the author expresses a similar hope as Paul.
For thy immortal spirit is in all things.
Therefore thou dost correct little by little those who trespass, and dost remind and warn them of the things wherein they sin, that they may be freed from wickedness and put their trust in thee, O Lord (Wisdom 13:1-2).
But judging them little by little thou gavest them a chance to repent, though thou wast not unaware that their origin was evil and their wickedness inborn, and that their way of thinking would never change (Wisdom 13:10).
However evil we may be, God still gives us a chance to repent. So, let us take out our actions to show that our repentance is genuine. Of course, at the end of the day, God still respect our freedom not to repent.
For thy immortal spirit is in all things.
Therefore thou dost correct little by little those who trespass, and dost remind and warn them of the things wherein they sin, that they may be freed from wickedness and put their trust in thee, O Lord (Wisdom 13:1-2).
But judging them little by little thou gavest them a chance to repent, though thou wast not unaware that their origin was evil and their wickedness inborn, and that their way of thinking would never change (Wisdom 13:10).
However evil we may be, God still gives us a chance to repent. So, let us take out our actions to show that our repentance is genuine. Of course, at the end of the day, God still respect our freedom not to repent.
Dear Lord, enkindle our love for You. Then we learn to cherish Your mercy. Let our mistakes continue to prod us forwards. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment