Practical Universalists

Sometimes it seems like the even the best of Christians can become “practical universalists.” What do I mean by “practical universalists?” What I mean is, we know what the Scriptures say, we know the clear teaching of Christ when He said, in Matt 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

We know that with our mind, but emotionally it seems like we can’t accept it, because deep down in our hearts we think everyone is going to make it to heaven somehow someway, especially when we’re thinking of people close to us. It doesn’t seem to matter how people live. It doesn’t seem to matter whether they openly deny Christ. Deep in our hearts we still believe that when they die, somehow they will go to heaven. Of course, this is what universalists believe, that everyone is eventually saved and no one is judged. But of course, this is NOT the message we read in the Bible, God’s word. The fact is, there is a judgment coming and there is a time when the patience and mercy of God will run out and we will be left to His justice and wrath. In fact, I was reminded of this truth this morning from my reading in Genesis 7. In a very populated world at the time of the great flood, 8 people were saved; Noah and his wife, and his three sons and their wives. Out of the thousands and thousands of people on the earth, possibly even millions in the days of Noah, God saved 8 people.

This should remind us that as much as He dislikes to do it, God will judge wickedness in perfect holiness and righteousness. To allow ourselves to become “practical universalists” means that we allow mere emotionalism to rob us of the seriousness of God’s holiness, the certainty of God’s truth, and the urgency to proclaim the good news of Christ to a dying world. If we are to truly remain faithful, we must not allow ourselves to give into “practical universalism.” We must always bear in mind that judgment is coming and man’s only escape is repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ. May God in grace by the power of His Spirit keep us mindful of this reality, that it might greatly effect how we live!

New Appreciation for Genesis 3:16

Genesis 3:16 states, "To the woman He said,'I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you will bring forth children;'" (NASB)

I now have a new appreciation for this verse. When Andrea labored and delivered our first two, she had epidurals with both, the first more than the second. I can remember when Caleb was born that all day, Andrea and I had basically just sat in the hospital room, watching tv, until about 3:30pm when the nurse came in and said, "Ok, it's time to push." I was like, "What?" That experience was nothing like I had seen on television.

But yesterday, Andrea had NO epidural; she only had a little "Newbane" (sp?) to take the edge off, and it was really different. I mean she was hurting and uncomfortable for hours before it was time to push. No television yesterday, we were all business. And then when it was time for her to push, boy I really understood Gen.3:16 because it was like the movies. I'm sort of surprised she didn't start calling me dirty names! (haha).

But even through that terrible/wonderful experience... her heart could be seen. She would scream at the mid-wife and nurses when it hurt so bad, and then immediately say "I'm sorry..." which we all thought was kind of funny. But when God said he would greatly multiply her pain in childbirth, He wasn't kidding around.

So, why would God do that? Why would He take such a wonderful experience as the birth of a child and make it so hurtful and sorrowful? Is God just mean and hateful like that? Well, of course God is not mean and hateful; He has nothing or no amount of evil or maliciousness in Him. Everything He does is good and righteous. So, why the pain in childbirth?

Well, I can't say this is the only reason, because knowing God, I'm sure there are more than one. But one reason I believe is because the Lord in His mercy wanted to give a lasting reminder of the consequences of sin. Sin has consequences. Rom 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death..." As the human race, we need to remember that our rebellion against God came at a great cost. And if we forget that cost, and seek not His mercy and forgiveness before we die, we will be eternally separated from Him in hell. So, God who is rich in mercy and grace, gave to mankind a perpetual reminder that "Hey, Sin has consequences! And you had better remember that before its eternally too late!"

Another reason for the pain and sorrow might be to remind us that in sin we are conceived and born. Some people have the mistaken understanding that man is born basically good and morally neutral, and that we only turn into bad people because of our environment or upbringing. This is not true Biblically. Kind David stated in Ps.51:5,"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me." Eccles. 7:20 also states, "For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin." So, the truth of the matter is, man is NOT born basically good or morally neutral. He is born with a sinful nature that has been passed down from one generation to another since the time of Adam and Eve. Man is not a sinner because he sins... He sins because He is a sinner. This reminder is also a gift of mercy because again, we are reminded that we are sinners desperately in need of God's grace and forgiveness.



The good news is that God in His love and grace sent His unique and only Son, Jesus, to be the Savior of the world. Jesus came and paid the ultimate penalty for our salvation. He lovingly and willingly allowed Himself to be crucified so that we might live forever with Him. But how good is a cure if a person doesn't know he's sick? In childbirth, we have a perpetual reminder of our need for Jesus. So, even in something as terrible and sorrowful as labor pains, we see the incredible love and mercy of God.