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From: Jamie Smith
Following is a response to part of the David Foss letter published 1/16/05.
Foss: "Did God's Son, Jesus Christ, take away all the sin of the world? Absolutely."
That is a true statement according to Scripture. All sin is included - past, present and future. Unbelief is a sin. The sin of unbelief is included in that which was satisfied by Christ's work.
Foss: "Did Jesus Christ willingly die to save all of mankind? Absolutely."
That is also a true statement. In fact, Mr. Foss has in just a few words stated clearly the true gospel that is to be preached today. How simple it is. How easy to understand. How wonderful to the hearer that Christ did not fail in His work.
Mr. Foss then makes arguments to undo the absolutes he had previously put in place by saying we have to do certain things in order to enjoy endless life. That is a common teaching in all Christian churches today. We are taught that God loves everyone, but ends up torturing most of those He loves because He created them too evil or stupid or stubborn. He will have to torture throughout eternity and He will hate doing it. Not a very smart or good God. Yet Scripture says that these sinful conditions have been atoned for, paid off, recompensed, settled and squared. All is covered. Nothing is left uncovered.
The difficulty in consistency lies in confusing the process with the goal. I'll list some of the processes: sin, the ages, death, judgment, the flesh, sickness, repentance, faith, hades (hell), resurrected life in the coming ages, the second death, New Jerusalem, Jews, gentiles.
Here is the goal toward which these processes work: God All in All and an endless joyful life for all God created.
Do all processes cease when the goal is reached? Absolutely.
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