Would You Be Mad at God If He Saved Everyone?

Would You Be Mad at God if He Saved Everyone?

Another way of getting at the same thing is to pose this question: “What if, somehow, by some means, you became convinced that God will, eventually, save all people? Would you be angry at God and would you drop evangelism?”

What’s the point of the question? Well, it is to measure the actual “temperature” of a person’s Christianity.

Over the years I have posed this question to many Christians. Usually the context is a theology class in a college, university, seminary or church. The question of universal salvation comes up. I see it as a “teachable moment” and pop the question.

All too often the answer has been “Yes, I’d be mad at God; and yes, I would drop evangelism.” When I ask why the usual answer is “Because of all I’ve given up to be a Christian and if everyone is going to be saved anyway, why evangelize?”

If this is the answer you would give, get ready to be convicted….

*Sidebar: The opinions expressed here are my own (or those of the guest writer); I do not speak for any other person, group or organization; nor do I imply that the opinions expressed here reflect those of any other person, group or organization unless I say so specifically. Before commenting read the entire post and the “Note to commenters” at its end.*

Too many Christians think of being Christian as having a “deal with God.” “God, I admit I’m a sinner and I accept forgiveness through my faith in Jesus Christ. Thank you. Now I’ll give up pleasure and serve you because I owe it to you.” The result is a “Christian life” of dull drudgery.

The Christianity I grew up in, was saved in, and still embrace, is a life of love, joy, peace and fulfillment, not one of mere duty or grudging obedience. I didn’t give up anything worthwhile to become a Christian!

I can honestly say that when I was a high schooler and my fellow students talked about their sex, alcohol and drug parties I never once felt an ounce of envy. I knew they were miserable; it was I who had joy in my life. I looked forward to church; they dreaded it and only went when their parents made them go. Or they went out of a sense of duty. Some of my “Christian friends” (mostly Baptists and other, similar denominations) clearly envied the party-goers’ lifestyle and avoided it only out of fear of God and/or a reluctant sense of duty to behave as God commands.

There were those of us, however, often touched then by the “Jesus Movement,” who knew and experienced and lived a “different Christianity.” For us it was a life filled with excitement and true pleasure, not mere duty or fear of God’s wrath.

If it were ever revealed to me in a way that I could not deny that God will save everyone “in the end,” I can honestly say it would not affect my passion for evangelism in any way because evangelism, witness, is not just about rescuing people from God’s wrath. Even more than that it is about helping people find fulfillment, joy, peace in knowing the Savior Jesus Christ—in this life, in the here and now. It is not just about getting people into heaven’s “lifeboat” and avoiding hell.

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