H,
There is a sense, out there in this world we live in, that competition
makes us all better. I cannot speak to all of that statement, it is much too general
to agree with or dismiss, but I think there is something fundamentally wrong
with that approach. It is the ultimate zero-sum game, the idea that one person
winning means another losing out. It is sketching the full diagram of what it
is to succeed, in terms of value, based on how much others have failed.
I do not think anyone who follows God should really think this way. Yet,
Christianity has been guilty of this much more than most. I do not mean the
idea of wars fought in the name of spreading it or defending it, thought that
is horrible enough. I do not even mean in terms of the material gospel that
thinks shining a light means doing well in earthly pursuits like making money or
being good at stuff, though that is misguided enough. I mean the very idea that
we draw some comparative pleasure from the idea that lost souls go to hell and we
are heading sweetly to the other place. Is there anything more unspiritual than
being proud of the idea that some will perish in eternity?
We seem to think that it is a reward for all the “sacrifices” we make
for being a Christian. That we have suffered so it is time to “en-joy” while
hapless sinners, who have had their lot in this life, and openly refused the
gospel, can finally get their comeuppance. That this so far from the truth of
God should be obvious. Afterall, They wish “that no one should perish.” The light
came for all and wants all and could still have all, in the end.
It is very clear that most of the opposition to ideas of universal
salvation do not come from a love of God’s law but a love of competition. We won,
they lost and now no cheating.
We simply cannot be this way. The grace road is wide and high and for everyone.
It tells us everything has value in creation and is going back to that wonderful
place. There is no competition in God, only Love and love eternal.
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