Monday: How Much Must One Know?
Picking up where we left off on Sunday, we can see that although the work of Christ provides the only means of salvation, some believe that explicit knowledge of Christ is not necessary in order for one to be saved.
This does not imply that salvation is available apart from Christ but that God is able and willing to apply the merits of Christ’s work to whomever He wishes.
Image © Krieg Barrie from GoodSalt.com
Some believe that those who do not know Christ and have never been exposed to the gospel, but who under the influence of the Holy Spirit feel a need for deliverance, and act on it, will be saved. The quote from Ellen G. White at the end of yesterday’s study certainly implies this (think of Job and Melchizedek).
What light do the following texts shed on this idea?
God
(Rom. 2:6-7 NIV).will repay each person according to what they have done.
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life
Paul here declares that there are some outside of Christianity who will receive eternal life as a result of an obedience-unto-life
principle (cf. Lev. 18:5). For those Gentiles
who show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts because their consciences also bearing witness
(Rom. 2:15 NIV), it will make a difference on Judgment Day because these people have responded to the work of the Spirit in their hearts.
Because we don’t know people’s hearts, why in all cases, either with professed Christians or non-Christians, must we be careful not to judge their souls’ salvation?
(15)
After going through Sabbath to Monday, then I want ask; What happens to those who knows the truth and yet follows Jesus but claim that such truth is no longer binding on Christians
I guess those are the worst enemy to self. I am an enemy to myself when I know what is right, profess to follow what is right, yet at the same time deny what is right. "Right" here may be relative depending on various cultural backgrounds, but the base line is that there are Biblical principles that govern what is right. Whether a believer or not, the texts cited in the Monday's study apparently suggests that, all may not escape scrutiny based on ones' ideology of right. That seemingly suggests that God is interested in a community that deliberately follow right moral principles. If it is followed in ignorance of Christ, God understands. But when we deviate from right moral principles yet we are believers in Christ, apparently it is disastrous.
God the Father is a just and fair Judge though He gives the authority of Judgment to His Son (John 5: 22)for the Son Jesus Christ stated as well that the Father has granted him the prerogative of Officiating as Judge in His presence. These are the surprises of Judgment Day:
1). Jesus the Son is the Judge;
2). Jesus the Son is the Defense Attorney simultaneously as Judge no wonder Saint Paul stated in Romans 8:33 "who shall condemn us on Judgment for God justifies the Saints" (my own paraphrase) which is in harmony with Daniel 7:22 that Judgment made in favor of the Saints.
3) Jesus stated that we will be judged according to the Word of God and if Romans 2 states that I need not to go into the semantics of the word nor do I need to clarify it for the text is simple enough for even a babe can understand that.
4). The Jews will be surprised not to be in the Kingdom for they disregard the The Word of God but honor the dictates of the Word of God (to the extremes) to gain Eternal Life.
5). The heathen and Atheists are also left out of the Kingdom for they did not obey God through Nature and the Heavens for they declare God's glory and most importantly the still small voice that impresses and enlightens them the Law of God against their contemplation of what action to make in any given situation.
6) As Romans 1-3 states that we are even surprise ourselves we are vindicated on Judgment for we know that we are not perfect to fully obey and be faithful on our obligations to God, but were true in a few only as stated in the last quarter of Matthew 25 the saints qualified in their dealings with their fellow beings in need.
7) As for those who believe in Jesus Christ it is important to obey him for it is the only evidence in the Heavenly Court that we Love Him (John 14:15,21) and also we can be busy with the Lord's work (spiritual gifts) but do not love the Lord of the Work (Fruit of the Spirit).
8) the parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee condemns gossiper and judgmental saints just like Dan who is missing from the Revelation 7 list of tribes in the New Earth and New Heaven for such attitudes the 7 sins that God abhors as stated in Proverbs.
Therefore with the above we do not have the prerogative to judge nor pass comment on other's status in the Kingdom of God but to check ourselves if we are in the 144,000 or not. There are lot of in stake in regards to our own salvation than to worry about others especially those we are so busy body about to gossip and criticize, May the Lord help us focus on Jesus and Jesus alone and be not like Peter when he lost focus of Jesus began to fell in the water as he tried to walk on water to Jesus.
Unless there are multiple means the fact that some are saved without meeting Christ suggests sinners are not saved by their faith (Psalm 87:4-6). Salvation is by the faith and works of the Savior, which form the package of grace.
The unreached are rewarded for their works (Romans 2:6-8, 11-16) and those reached are judged by what they do having heard (James 1:22; Revelation 20:12, 13). Those who hear the gospel bear responsibility to act on it (Acts 17:30; Luke 6:46-49). It is a pronounced privilege to come in contact with the gospel and to know the Savior (Philippians 3:10).
Those who come to meet Jesus are to become like Him and this necessarily starts with humility (Luke 9:23). From before creation the Son of God subjected Himself to the Father (Hebrews 1:1, 2; 1 Corinthians 8:6) and this makes a statement.
Purchasing the worldly concept that there is nothing wrong with striving to be on top or campaigning for office such practices have been imported into the fellowship of believers. Yet self-promotion by one pregnant with pride or through surrogates who bear the boastful messages on behalf of the ambitious is not a Christ-like virtue.
Some thinking high of themselves (Romans 12:3) based on achievements may fall into the snare of ‘holy pride,’ an invention of Satan (1 Timothy 3:6). Not among the faithful patriarchs or prophets is there example of pride of accomplishment. Apparently they got the message of Jesus (Luke 14:11) early and often. With humility it is much easier to do what the Lord says.
Ultimately it is not so much what the saints accomplish or know, and not even whom they know that matters (Matthew 7:22, 23). Rather it is whom Jesus knows personally, those whom He may identify as His own, for He observes some resemblance to Himself in humility and service (Matthew 7:20, 21). Will Jesus recognize you in the judgment?
I believe that the people in the OT knew Jesus just by other names like:
Creator, Jehovah, Angel of the LORD, Michael, the Rock, the pillar of cloud & fire, the Shekinah glory, the Messiah.
Salvation is in the divine being and His character not just a word, it is The Word!
Proverbs 15:16 "Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith."
It is better to have a little light, and to treat that light with utmost care and reverence, than it is to have a great hoard of intellectual Bible knowledge and to employ it for no better purpose than strife and contention.
This lesson teach that good persons will be saved. And saved by Works of the Principle on to life. Wile is corect in stating not to judge on salvation because even Jesus said not to judge, it looks wrong in aborting importance of Gospel proclamation.
Texts from Romans are out of that book line, because yes all can Know God by nature but Paul continues: No One Did! So, because no one did, there is now only one way, faith in Jesus work for us. Is this now old and soon to forget message?
We are here learned that only good peoples will be saved no mater of Jesus intelectual knowledge. Is this just a way to negate Jesus name in preaching and start to preach "goodness" or is this just a balance foreword fo more stabile mision?
The nagging question is: "If people can be saved without a firsthand knowledge of Jesus Christ then why missions? Why work so hard to carry the message to them?
We must not refrain from mission simply because we think God has revealed himself to every nation in certain ways. We should always assume the responsibility of telling people about God whether they know it or not. Our aim should be to build a community of believers in Christ without leaving anything to chance.
One thing I would suggest, Ray, is that while the book of nature can "declare" things about God, and while the voice of conscience and conviction can do wonderful work for God, those things in themselves are not sufficient to bring people to the fullness of stature [i.e. the maturity] that God is looking for.
The word of God is needed, and teachers are needed, if "the work of God" is to be completed and the end come.
From the very beginning of the Christian life we are directed to the word of God, in order that we may grow. "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." (1Pet 2:2).
With knowledge comes responsibility. I studied Physics through London University and a fair bit of that degree was about electricity and how it behaves. I know dozens of formulas linking current, voltage, resistance, and impedance. I learned electronic drift theory. I can explain the path of an electron through a semiconductor. In fact I understand so much about electricity that given the opportunity I could bore you to tears. Most people are happy to know two important things about electricity. 1) Where is the on/off switch. 2) Am I insulated from the electricity so that there is now chance of me zapping myself when I use it!
Obviously both levels of knowledge are useful. You can stay alive and use electricity if you know the answers to the two things I listed above; but you would not be in a position to teach others about electricity. If you know as much about electricity as I do, then you can have the responsibility of passing that information on to others so they have a better understanding when appropriate.
In the Christian sphere, not everyone is going to have the same level of knowledge. Some people will only know that some things are right and wrong; others may include also some awareness and acknowledge a power outside of themselves. I think God expects us to have different levels on knowledge and will ultimately judge us by how we lived up to that level of understanding. We must appreciate that if we have received much knowledge, we have also taken on greater responsibility.
For some reason, I think that I can come away from this lesson thinking that if I am a Buddhist, Hindu or any other non-Christian, that I can do good works and be saved. That goes contrary to Scripture, even Acts 4:12. This seems like an ecumenical way of thinking to me. If this were the case, Jesus would not tell his sheep of other folds to "come out of her my people" in Revelation 18:4.
I can understand your concern Allanson, but if salvation is only available to Christians, it leaves an awfully large part of the population of the earth both past and present without being confronted by Jesus and thus the opportunity for salvation. We pride ourselves about going into all the world preaching the gospel but in point of fact we make very little impact on large areas of the current world population. Many people reject Christianity as a religion in our modern secular world, not because they think it is wrong but because they have been confronted with the very worst of Christianity that does not portray Christ.
I do not propose a mechanism for salvation for those who have been faithful to other religions; I will leave that up to God. But I think that God will be deeply fair in his judgement even for people who belong to other religions or who have rejected a caricature of Christianity. That does not let us off the hook of spreading the Gospel. To those who have received knowledge and understanding comes responsibility as well.
Your comment is a reasonable one Maurice. Nevertheless, that leaves the question as to how we should interpret Acts 4:12 and other texts. Salvation is through Christ, not only available to Christians. If my first post left you with the idea that I was saying the latter and not the former, then my apologies for being ambiguous.
I am not attempting to determine how people's salvation will be worked out by God. I am, however, going by what is said in His word.
I think you and I are on the same wavelength Allanson. That does not pose a problem for me. I am sure that there will be people who are saved by grace who have never heard of Jesus but who have been faithful in following the light that is available to them. They are still saved by Jesus - they just don't know his name.
And people of all persuasions will still be lost for rejecting God's call.
"saved by grace"
Is this grace generally or grace "which is in Christ Jesus"?
I think people heard about Jesus. If stumbled by sins of Christians, didnt they have all heavenly help to forgive and learn real Jesus? Arent we all in some way misled by sins in our home churches also?
What is then good for preaching Cross of Christ, altogether?
What counts is goodness but when we go before Gods Court, in what will we put our trust: in our goodnes or in Jesus?
To put it in different way.
Is salvation about us peoples or about Jesus?
Do we have need for God, if we are good without knowledge of God or His Logos: Jesus?
Is Logos like some life wisdom, and can be gained without conecting it with the personality of Christ?
God judges the heart of everyman, their is no reason for you or I to do God's job. When I judge a man on my judgment I am judging myself. We must never give our own opinion on what we know nothing of.
Only you O Lord can read hearts. Thank you for the light that you have shown me. Help me to live up to that light and share it with others in love.
Allanson, l dont know if l try 2 add 2 what Maurice hs said wil help. The OT shows that God intended lsrael 2 preach mostly by their lifes Him complimenting by miracle. (Sory l dont have a bible with me) check Deutro 4 & 1King 10:1-8. I wil confirm them later. Israel failed God dismally. In NT God then adds preaching & teaching yet we're failing even 2 aproach people let alone living for Him (evangeliving). Just check, in case u are very active in evangelism & living 4 Christ, how many people in your communitee have u positively affected. May b just a quater. What should God do 2 è rest? Sent them 2 hell bcz christians failed 2 do their job. Would that b fair.
My final comment:
If that is the case John, then where does Romans 1:20 come in? Please explain.
Additionally, I am not disputing with Maurice, just trying to add balance to what was mentioned in Monday's lesson. I think that Tuesday's lesson covers the main point of my previous comments - salvation is only through Christ.
On another point, regarding the illustration raised, I do not think that someone can accurately assess his/her community impact. He/she does not know what is going on in people's hearts, even if they (community members) may appear (or not appear) to take positive steps towards accepting Christ due to his/her witness (verbal and lifestyle). That is God's job, that's why He will put stars in the crowns of the Saints. HE alone knows whether persons (including us) are genuinely following Him or not. As such, I do not think that is a good illustration.
I just finished watching part of a series about the history of Sabbath observance, it was amazing, how individuals in different people groups received visions from God telling them to keep the Sabbath holy among other things without any knowledge of Jesus or the Bible.
As I understand it, we are not saved by our knowledge of truth. We are only saved by trusting fully in Jesus Christ. However some people may not know Christ by the name that we know Him. In nature they can see the character of God revealed, and they respond to the Spirit of Christ in their hearts. John tells us that Christ is the light that lightens every man who comes into the world. That includes people who have never heard the name of Christ.
No one is saved by his or her personal goodness. All who are saved are saved only by the goodness of Christ. As we get to know Him, we trust Him enough to obey Him. Disobedience will change us. Those who do not know Christ by name will follow the impressions of the Holy Spirit in their heart's and thus be led to salvation.
Someone mentioned that atheists and heathens are excluded from heaven. However, I believe there are atheists and heathens who follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Some are atheists because they cannot believe in the God that has been presented to them. (For instance, I don't believe in the God that Richard Dawkins rejects.) But they follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They may not acknowledge God by name, but they follow the light the spirit give them in their hearts, and this is a way of salvation for them.
Yes, I believe there may be atheists and Buddhist in heaven.
So why do we need to preach the gospel? If we love Christ, we cannot help but share Him! And we need to share Him for the sake of our own salvation. The more we talk about Him, the more we will love him and grow to be like Him.
I think Jesus answers the question in John 10:10 I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
If they love and follow the LORD with the little they know of Him how much more will they rejoice and worship the LORD when they get to know Him fully.