December 30
TEN REASONS NOT TO BELIEVE THE TEACHING OF ETERNAL TORTURE
#9: IT PRODUCES IMMATURE CONVERTS WHO ARE MOTIVATED TO SERVE GOD OUT OF FEAR RATHER THAN LOVE
-The false teaching of eternal torture is a message of fear. IT IS NOT ONE OF LOVE! Not only is that teaching
a message of fear, but it breeds fear in the lives of all who embrace it. In other words, it causes a person to continually
live in fear of eternal torture at all times. I guess you could call it … “the good news of fear” …
It is ironic, but nevertheless, Christianity refers to their message as good news. How could it be good news to tell someone
… You better get right or God is going to torture you forever??? HOW IS THAT GOOD NEWS? WELL … IT’S NOT!
IT IS BAD NEWS! IT IS VERY BAD NEWS! IT IS NOT THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST! IT MAY BE THE GOSPEL OF CHRISTIANITY, BUT ONCE
AGAIN, IT IS NOT THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!
-The Bible does speak of the “fear of the Lord”, but this “fear” pertains to a reverence
and awe for God, not a fear of being tortured forever. 2nd Timothy speaks of the fear that Evangelical Christianity
promotes. It is referred to as “the spirit of fear”. 2nd Timothy 1:7 states, … For God has not
given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind … Does the teaching of eternal torture produce
power, love, and a sound mind? NO! IT PRODUCES WEAKNESS, HATE, AND CONFUSION. Modern day Christianity could be characterized
as weak, hateful, and confusing. It is unfortunate to have to say these things, but nevertheless, they are true.
-Now … Are you ready for some GOOD NEWS? 1st John 4:18,19 states, … There is no fear
in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. We love Him,
because He first loved us … THIS IS THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST! Jesus did not come to destroy men’s lives, but
to save them. He did not come to bring condemnation, but to bring redemption. He did not come to bring hate, but love. He
is not the author of eternal torture, but of eternal salvation.
-Man must understand that he was born ( placed ) into vanity, a perished condition, and death ( the carnal mind
). When the scriptures declare that God is not willing that any should perish, it is this that is being spoken of. He is not
willing that any should remain in their fallen condition. IT IS THIS CONDITION THAT HE CAME TO SAVE US OUT OF. As we come
to understand this, we should not serve Him because we are afraid of eternal torture, BUT BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US, SAVED
US, FORGAVE US, AND DELIVERED US FROM …
-THE WAGES OF SIN!-
