Are You Certain?
When I was a child, I thought that "Naptime" was a punishment. I was certain of it. Now, as a grown-up, I think it feels like a small vacation. My, how perspectives can change.
If you stop and think about it, there are likely many things that at one time you felt certain about but have since learned differently and have changed your mind concerning them.
This is also true regarding our thoughts on specific ideas derived from Scripture. While it is fresh and new to us, we are all in and highly committed to our newfound view. The question is, have we thoroughly considered it in the light of the whole of New Covenant truth?
Sometimes we can tend to isolate a particular truth and treat it as a stand-alone idea separate from all other ideas conveyed in the Scriptures. When this happens, the idea can become embellished to the point that its original intended purpose and position in the light of the whole truth can become skewed.
This was Paul's reason for advising Timothy to study to show himself approved by God, a worker who did not need to be ashamed because he was rightly dividing the word of truth from error.
For instance, I have heard some in a particular movement that is popular today declare that there is no such thing as destruction and eternal punishment because Jesus came to save the world due to God's great love. I appreciate how they are zealous about the love of God. I share their enthusiasm about it. It is marvelous for certain. But should my dwelling on it apart from all other Scripture permit me to brashly claim that there will be no eternal punishment or destruction?
I must examine all that is spoken in the New Covenant Scriptures to see if my position on the matter was supported by the original apostles of the church who wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I must subject my idea on the matter to what is represented by the Scriptures.
If I hold to an extreme position on the matter of God's love and then, by human reasoning, make deductions and conclusions about it apart from a more thorough examination of the Scriptures, I may be disappointed, troubled, and ashamed when I read passages such as:
2Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. 11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I do not wish to speak too quickly and authoritatively without having done my due diligence in making sure my conclusions on the matter are not potentially refuted in another portion of New Covenant Scripture. I am not claiming to be perfect in this area myself. But I am more mindful of it than ever before, and I trust that the Holy Spirit will use that to my advantage for the benefit of those who take an interest in the things I have to say. So I will ask you again, "Are you certain?"
