God is Holy and Just, so He can’t save everyone: An email response

Email:  You’re right that God is love, but God is also holy, righteous and just. The bible says only the devil, the beast and the false prophet will be tormented forever and ever. But the dead whose names are not found in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death. Psalms 42:7 says that that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever. We can’t know who will face judgment. People are free to do as they wish and we can love them even if we know they may end up freely doing something that results in their death, or even eventual judgment. We love people because God has commanded it and because we’ve been saved and because we just might save others – not because we know anyone’s final disposition. But God will repay each person according to what they have done – Romans 2:6. Read Ezekiel 18. When God says men will die for their sins, do you think he’s referring to the same natural, bodily death we will all experience? If so, what would be the point of the text? If not, then he’s clearly referring to a death that will last forever. The lesson is to be like the man in verses 5-9 and live

My Response to this email:  God’s righteousness and justice are a part of His love, not separate from it.  He dealt with sin on the cross and therefore is still righteous while justifying humanity.  You think that what Christ went through on the cross was not enough to deal with sin?  You do if you think your works add to it.  That’s the self-righteousness Paul talks about.  Isaiah 26:9 says that when God’s judgements come upon people, they LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS.  How can the devil, the beast, and the false prophet be tormented forever and ever?  Are there two eternities?  No…there are two ages though.  The 1000 year kingdom and the new heavens and the new earth age are the future ages of the ages and this verse should be translated ‘ages of the ages.’  The word that you use to translate as ‘eternity’ is the Greek word ‘aion’ which means ‘age.’  A simple concordant study and bible text usage of the word, proves this.  At the end of the ages, all are saved through the death, entombment, and resurrection of Christ…Colossians 1: 15-20 and 1 Corinthians 15: 21-28.  What happens to those humans in the SECOND DEATH when Jesus abolishes death in 1Cor15:27?  Well, v. 54 and 55 of the same chapter answers that…they are made alive in Christ.

You want to quote psalms and Ezekiel that speak of the permanence of death?  The truth is that everyone is locked up in death, even the good will die.  This is a permanent condition if Christ didn’t do what He did.  You said, ‘People are free to do as they wish and we can love them even if we know they may end up freely doing something that results in their death, or even eventual judgment.’  Yet, scripture says that God does WHAT HE PLEASES WITH PEOPLE ON THE EARTH (Daniel 4:35), He works ALL ACCORDING TO THE HIS WILL (Eph 1:11).  Romans chapter 9 through 11 ends any possibility that humans act independent of God.

You continue to quote Romans but are missing the entire point.  The first three chapters, up until 3:21, Paul is saying those that follow the law and do good works will have life aonion and those that don’t will be out.  He is setting up the standard of God’s righteousness.  But here is the kicker and what you don’t understand:  NOBODY CAN DO IT.  That’s why Paul says in Romans 3: 9-11 that NOT ONE IS JUST, NOT ONE IS SEEKING OUT GOD.  Then, he says ‘by works of law, no flesh at all shall be justified (Romans 3:20).’  There goes you salvation by works my friend.  Paul is setting the stage that through the law is recognition of sin (3:20) and NOBODY CAN ACHIEVE GOD’S RIGHEOUSNESS THROUGH THEIR OWN WORKS. 

So how do we attain God’s righteousness?  Now, Paul goes into the answer in the rest of Romans chapter three starting in verse 21:  A righteousness of God THROUGH JESUS CHRST’S FAITH FOR ALL AND ON ALL WHO ARE BELIEVING.  See, we are justified GRATUITOUSLY in His grace (rom3:24) which means we are NOT SAVED BY ANYTHING WE DO but are saved by Christ’s work.   Salvation is of God:  He gives faith to those that have a special salvation, the rest come to realization THROUGH JUDGEMENT (1 Timothy 4:10).  See, we don’t have to separate God’s love and judgement as His judgement is part of His love.  Now, we walk in good works and love BECAUSE we are saved, not in order to be saved.  Search the scriptures and you will see that you believe in ‘yourself’ for salvation and have denied the completed work of Christ on the cross.  Run from that and embrace what Christ has done for you.  All is of God.