Hi Mike,

Please clear up this confusion for me. It seems to me that Col 1:23 (If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and [be] not moved away from the hope of the gospel…) makes this condition for us being reconciled to Christ. When I read verse 23 of Col. 1, the ‘if’ seems to cast doubt on the support of other scriptures for universalism. I hope you can clarify this for me.

Thanks,

V____

Hi V___,

You say ‘when I read verse 23 of Col. 1, the ‘if’ seems to cast doubt on the support of other scriptures for universalism.’

You are right, the word ‘if’ is there. And the Holy Spirit inspired it to be there “for our edification.”

Universal reconciliation is an ultimate truth, but it is nowhere guaranteed for this aion just because Christ calls us. The opposite is true for this age; “many are called but few chosen” (Mat 22:14). It is only those who “continue (there’s that word you used in your post) in my word” that become “my disciples indeed” (Joh 8:31).

Understanding the doctrine of grace (or any doctrine) is only for those who “Do His will”.

Joh 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself.

What sometimes comes up missing in the teaching of the doctrine of universal reconciliation is “knowing (understanding) the doctrine” (Joh 7:17) of grace.

That understanding is imparted to us in Tit 2:11 and 12: “Grace teaches [paideuo, Strong’s #3811] us to forsake ungodliness and worldly lusts.”

Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

That word ‘teach’ is not strong enough to convey how God deals with those who continue in “ungodliness and worldly lust.” This is the same word used in Heb 12:6:

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

It is the same word in 1Co 11:32: “When we are judged, we are chastened [paideuo] of the Lord…”

1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Judgment day for all is a time of “chastening” and discipline, not eternal torment. Chastening is for the purpose of perfecting. This is in line with the concept of a firm, loving father.

In fact, the “virgin” bride of Christ (2Co 11:2) is in her “judgment day” now.

1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

According to Paul, we are the “house of God” (1Ti 3:15). We are the bride (2Co 11:2), the circumcision (Php 3:3 and Rom 2:27), we are Jews (Rom 2:28-29), and we are Israel (Eph 2:11 and 19 and Gal 6:15-16), and chastening from God is for us now.

If in this process, we do not “continue in my word” (Joh 8:31), we can “fall from grace” (Gal 5:4) for this age. “The law” mentioned here in Gal 5:4 represents our works, good or bad. “Works of the law” means we give ourselves the credit for them instead of realizing that “we are HIS workmanship created unto GOOD WORKS which He hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10).

And what happens if we don’t continue to walk in them? ” Where sin abounds, grace (discipline, chastening – Tit 2:11, 12) did much more abound” (Rom 5:20). But the chastening of grace is not guaranteed to be in this aion.

Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if [ there’s that little word again] thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

But notice what happens eventually to those on whom the severity falls:

Rom 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

The ‘if’ here is simply a matter of timing; “every man in his own order” (1Co 15:23) for God is able to graft them in again.” (Rom 11:23)

Yours in his chastening grace,

Mike